Direct wind energy generation

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind power generation. In one aspect, a wind power generator includes a support base; inductors positioned over the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixed to the base support and providing a circular track around which the inductors are located; an annulus ring rotor placed on the annulus ring track and engaged to rollers in the circular track so that the annulus ring rotor can rotate relative to the an annulus ring track, in which the annulus ring rotor include separate magnets to move through the circular array of inductors to cause generation of electric currents; and a wind rotor assembly coupled to the annulus ring rotor and including wind-deflecting blades that rotate with the rotor and a hollow central interior for containing a wind vortex formed from deflecting wind by the blades to convert into the electric energy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Stage application ofPCT Application No. PCT/US2015/041204, entitled “DIRECT WIND ENERGYGENERATION”, filed on Jul. 20, 2015, which claims the benefits andpriority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/026,561, entitled“DIRECT WIND ENERGY GENERATION”, filed on Jul. 18, 2014. The entirecontent of the aforementioned patent applications is incorporated byreference as part of the disclosure of this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document relates to systems, devices, and processes thatgenerate energy from wind power.

BACKGROUND

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form ofenergy. Some examples of wind power conversion use wind turbines toproduce electrical power, windmills for mechanical power, and windpumpsfor water pumping or drainage. Wind power is being employed as analternative to fossil fuels, offering several advantages to fossil fuelsincluding availability and renewability as an energy source, capabilityof being widely distributed, and lack of greenhouse gas or pollutantemissions, among others. For wind power energy solutions to be furtheradopted, new types of systems that can be scaled on a local level areneeded.

SUMMARY

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind powergeneration.

In one aspect, a wind power generator for converting wind power intoelectricity includes a support base; inductor coils fixed in positionover the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixedto the base support and configured to provide a circular track aroundwhich the circular array of inductor coils is located; rollers placed inthe circular track of the annulus ring track to roll in the circulartrack to move around the annulus ring track; an annulus ring rotorplaced on the annulus ring track and engaged to the rollers in thecircular track of the annulus ring track so that the annulus ring rotorcan rotate relative to the an annulus ring track by operation of rollingmotion of the rollers in the circular track without having a rotaryshaft in the center of the annulus ring rotor for rotating the annulusring rotor, the annulus ring rotor structured to include separatemagnets evenly spaced from one another on an outer peripheral of theannulus ring rotor to move through the circular array of inductor coilsas the annulus ring rotor rotates with respect to the annulus ring trackso that the relative motion between the magnets and the inductor coilscauses generation of electric currents in the inductor coils; and acylindrical wind rotor assembly located above and fixed to the annulusring rotor to form a unified assembly to rotate with the annulus ringrotor relative to the annulus ring track, the cylindrical wind rotorassembly structured to include wind-deflecting blades that are spacedfrom one another and arranged in a circle around the cylindrical windrotor assembly to form a hollow central cylindrical interior space forcontaining a wind vortex formed from deflecting of the received wind bythe wind-deflecting blades, to convert received wind from any directioninto a rotation of the unified assembly relative to the annulus ringtrack, thus causing conversion of the wind energy into the electriccurrents in the inductor coils.

In another aspect, a wind power generator for converting wind power intoelectricity includes a support base; an inductor stator assembly that isfixed to the support base and includes inductor coils fixed in positionto form a circular array, each inductor coil including a first halfinductor coil part that includes a first magnetic core and a firstconductor wire coil that winds around the first magnetic core and asecond half inductor coil part that includes a second magnetic core anda second conductor wire coil that winds around the second magnetic core,in which the first and second half inductor coil parts are positionedadjacent to each other to form a gap there between; an inductor rotorassembly that includes an annulus ring and separate magnets evenlyspaced from one another to form a magnet ring on an outer peripheral ofthe annulus ring and is configured to position the magnets between thegaps of the circular array of inductor coils, the inductor rotorassembly being structured to rotate relative to the inductor statorassembly so that the relative motion between the magnets and theinductor coils causes generation of electric currents in the inductorcoils; a cylindrical wind stator assembly fixed in position relative tothe inductor stator assembly and including stator wind-receiving finsarranged in a circle to form a hollow cylindrical interior in which theinductor stator assembly and the inductor rotor assembly are located,the stator wind-receiving fins being structured to direct receive anddirect wind from any direction into the hollow cylindrical interior at aslanted direction from a radial direction of the cylindrical wind statorassembly; and a cylindrical wind rotor assembly enclosed inside thehollow cylindrical interior of the cylindrical wind stator assembly andfixed in position to the inductor rotor assembly as a unified assemblyto rotate together with the magnet ring on the annulus ring relative tothe cylindrical wind stator assembly, the cylindrical wind rotorassembly structured to include wind-deflecting blades that are spacedfrom one another and arranged in a circle to form a hollow centralcylindrical interior space for containing a wind vortex formed fromdeflecting of the received wind by the wind-deflecting blades, in whichthe stator wind-receiving fins and the wind-deflecting blades arestructured to collectively and efficiently direct the received wind tocause rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly for conversion ofthe wind energy into the electric currents in the inductor coils.

In another aspect, methods for generating electricity from wind includeplacing the wind power generator, such as those described above, on aroof top of a building to receive wind to cause the cylindrical windrotor assembly to rotate so that the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly causes the inductor rotor assembly to rotate to generateelectric currents in the inductor coils.

Those and other aspects, features and implementations are described ingreater detail in the drawings, the detailed description, and theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show three-dimensional schematics of an exemplary windpower generator, referred to as the electronic inertial power (EiP) windmachine.

FIG. 1C shows a cross sectional diagram depicting the lower portion ofan exemplary EiP wind machine.

FIG. 2A shows a diagram of an exemplary EiP Permanent Magnet LinearSynchronous Machine (PMLSM).

FIG. 2B shows a diagram of an exemplary EiP synchronous generatormagnetic circuit.

FIG. 2C shows a diagram of an exemplary PMLSM three-phase magneticcircuit.

FIG. 2D shows a diagram depicting exemplary PMLSM modular combinationsfor exemplary EiP machine radius.

FIG. 2E shows a diagram of exemplary C core and fill factor.

FIG. 2F shows a diagram of exemplary magnetic rotor expansion usingidentical magnets and pole pitch.

FIG. 2G shows a diagram of exemplary windzone blade, fin, and centerproportions, and average internal windflow.

FIG. 2H shows a graphical diagram of exemplary Van Der Pol oscillation.

FIG. 2I shows a graph and a circuit diagram of an exemplary negativeresistance oscillator.

FIG. 2J shows a diagram of an exemplary minimal EiP oscillator.

FIG. 2K shows a diagram of essential EiP energy imbalance.

FIG. 3A shows a diagram providing the mechanical overview of anexemplary EiP wind machine.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machinecross section, showing single- and double-sided configurations, androtor mass enhancements.

FIG. 3C shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machine inductor andbearing support ring.

FIG. 3D shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machine bearingtrack ring.

FIG. 3E shows a diagram further depicting the exemplary EiP machineinductor/bearing ring and strut details.

FIG. 3F shows a diagram further depicting the exemplary bearing details.

FIG. 3G shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machine magneticrotor.

FIG. 3H shows a diagram further depicting the exemplary magnetic rotordetails.

FIG. 3I shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machine inductorspecifications.

FIG. 3J shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wind rotor assembly.

FIG. 3K shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wind stator assembly.

FIG. 3L shows a diagram of the exemplary vertical fins and wind bladedetails.

FIG. 3M shows a diagram depicting exemplary EiP windzone aerodynamics.

FIG. 3N shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP windzone aerodynamicdetails.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary PMLSM diode bridge.

FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary PMLSM with voltagesourced converter (VSC).

FIGS. 4C-1 and 4C-2 show schematic diagrams of exemplary three and fivePMLSM EiP oscillators, respectively.

FIG. 4D shows a diagram of exemplary five PMLSM EiP oscillatorcombinations for the exemplary EiP machine radius.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind powergeneration.

The disclosed wind power generators are scalable on a local scale. Forexample, the disclosed wind power generators can be employed on anindividual building such as a business or home to provide sufficientelectrical power to the building.

In some implementations of the disclosed wind power generators,modularized components and mechanisms are used. For example, themodularity of exemplary wind power generators is advantageous for theirdeployment on the local scale, such as assembling the wind powergenerator on a rooftops of a building.

In one aspect, a wind power generator for converting wind power intoelectricity includes a support base; inductor coils fixed in positionover the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixedto the base support and configured to provide a circular track aroundwhich the circular array of inductor coils is located; rollers placed inthe circular track of the annulus ring track to roll in the circulartrack to move around the annulus ring track; an annulus ring rotorplaced on the annulus ring track and engaged to the rollers in thecircular track of the annulus ring track so that the annulus ring rotorcan rotate relative to the an annulus ring track by operation of rollingmotion of the rollers in the circular track without having a rotaryshaft in the center of the annulus ring rotor for rotating the annulusring rotor, the annulus ring rotor structured to include separatemagnets evenly spaced from one another on an outer peripheral of theannulus ring rotor to move through the circular array of inductor coilsas the annulus ring rotor rotates with respect to the annulus ring trackso that the relative motion between the magnets and the inductor coilscauses generation of electric currents in the inductor coils; and acylindrical wind rotor assembly located above and fixed to the annulusring rotor to form a unified assembly to rotate with the annulus ringrotor relative to the annulus ring track, the cylindrical wind rotorassembly structured to include wind-deflecting blades that are spacedfrom one another and arranged in a circle around the cylindrical windrotor assembly to form a hollow central cylindrical interior space forcontaining a wind vortex formed from deflecting of the received wind bythe wind-deflecting blades, to convert received wind from any directioninto a rotation of the unified assembly relative to the annulus ringtrack, thus causing conversion of the wind energy into the electriccurrents in the inductor coils.

In another aspect, a wind power generator for converting wind power intoelectricity includes a support base; an inductor stator assembly that isfixed to the support base and includes inductor coils fixed in positionto form a circular array, each inductor coil including a first halfinductor coil part that includes a first magnetic core and a firstconductor wire coil that winds around the first magnetic core and asecond half inductor coil part that includes a second magnetic core anda second conductor wire coil that winds around the second magnetic core,in which the first and second half inductor coil parts are positionedadjacent to each other to form a gap there between; an inductor rotorassembly that includes an annulus ring and separate magnets evenlyspaced from one another to form a magnet ring on an outer peripheral ofthe annulus ring and is configured to position the magnets between thegaps of the circular array of inductor coils, the inductor rotorassembly being structured to rotate relative to the inductor statorassembly so that the relative motion between the magnets and theinductor coils causes generation of electric currents in the inductorcoils; a cylindrical wind stator assembly fixed in position relative tothe inductor stator assembly and including stator wind-receiving finsarranged in a circle to form a hollow cylindrical interior in which theinductor stator assembly and the inductor rotor assembly are located,the stator wind-receiving fins being structured to direct receive anddirect wind from any direction into the hollow cylindrical interior at aslanted direction from a radial direction of the cylindrical wind statorassembly; and a cylindrical wind rotor assembly enclosed inside thehollow cylindrical interior of the cylindrical wind stator assembly andfixed in position to the inductor rotor assembly as a unified assemblyto rotate together with the magnet ring on the annulus ring relative tothe cylindrical wind stator assembly, the cylindrical wind rotorassembly structured to include wind-deflecting blades that are spacedfrom one another and arranged in a circle to form a hollow centralcylindrical interior space for containing a wind vortex formed fromdeflecting of the received wind by the wind-deflecting blades, in whichthe stator wind-receiving fins and the wind-deflecting blades arestructured to collectively and efficiently direct the received wind tocause rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly for conversion ofthe wind energy into the electric currents in the inductor coils.

In another aspect, methods for generating electricity from wind includeplacing the wind power generator, such as those described above, on aroof top of a building to receive wind to cause the cylindrical windrotor assembly to rotate so that the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly causes the inductor rotor assembly to rotate to generateelectrical energy (e.g., electric currents) in the inductor coils. Insome implementations, the method can further include supplying thegenerated electrical energy to a power system of the building, or thepower grid. The method can further include storing the generatedelectrical energy in an energy storage unit electrically coupled to thewind power generator.

These aspects and other features are described in further detail below,and in the drawings and the claims.

Implementations of the wind power generator as described in the Claimssection of this patent document can optionally include the followingexemplary features.

For example, the underside of the bottom annulus of the wind receivingfin assembly can be the support base for two stainless steel rings: (i)the upper ring, which bolts directly to the underside, contains thefirst half of inductor array; and (ii) the lower ring contains thesecond half of the inductor array and sites for bearings, which attachesto solid stainless steel frame struts inserted into every other fin pipearound the circumference and bolted to the underside. The frame strutsand inductor rings and bearings maintain the gap between inductor facesunder strong magnetic forces from the rotor.

Also, for example, for the annulus ring rotor, the rotor base can be anannulus made of aluminum (or any non-magnetic alloy) of magnetthickness. On the underside a stainless steel ring (the bearing “track”)is attached that provides a horizontal and vertical surface forbearings, e.g., one surface for bearings supporting the weight of therotor, and the other controlling side to side movement. The track ringalso acts as a stiffener for the magnetic rotor annulus to preventwarping of the aluminum under strong magnetic attraction to inductorsand heavy wind gusts on the windblades to maintain an equal gap betweenmagnets and inductors above and below. The cylindrical wind bladeassembly attaches to the topside of the annulus. When fully assembled,the outer periphery of the rotor annulus passes between the upper andlower inductor arrays while the wind blades spin freely.

Also for example, with regards to the bearings, the fault tolerantbearing architecture can include various types, e.g., one for supportingthe rotor weight and magnetic gaps, the other for controlling side toside movement. Both types can be “poly roller” bearings with amaintenance-free core and poly wheel. Instead of one central bearing ona shaft, for example, there are redundant bearings provided near therotor periphery. To function in a minimal way, for example, there can beat least one support bearing for every one eighth of circumference.Double this amount is the nominal number. For absolute fault tolerancethree times is recommended, as an example. A minimum of four side toside bearings are required, one for each axis. Twice that number is thenominal and fault tolerant quantity, since they bear no weight, asanother example. Bearings can fail without disruption to powerproduction, and replaced during a convenient service interval.

Also, for example, with regards to the vortex, the central vortex can bea wake vortex, which solves a major efficiency problem with VAWTs, e.g.,operating in their own wake vortex, providing a way for expended windenergy to exit the turbine from the center above and below and carriedaway in the wind flow, enhancing rotor motion.

Also, for example, speed and vibration in high winds is self-regulating,e.g., requiring no pitch or yaw controls, or shutdown, simply a rotorthat spins no faster when wind drag opposing motion equals wind powerbehind the blades, maintaining balance instantly in response to strongwind gusts. Rotor height and diameter determine the stall speed,selected to suit wind conditions at the installed location.

Also for example, with regards to the pipe or rod of each statorwind-receiving fin (e.g., having a curved outer edge as an interface ofthe wind power generator with the received wind), the pipe is animportant design element. For example, every other pipe around thecircumference has the end of a frame strut inserted into it, which lendsstrength to the wind receiving fin assembly under strong gust forces.The other pipes are available for attachment to rooftop mountingstructures and electrical conduit for lighting and instrumentation(e.g., wireless network antenna or pitot tube for wind speedmeasurement).

Also for example, with regards to the metal or metallic alloy,generally, aluminum is utilized for the wind assemblies and magneticrotor but the entire machine is made from non-magnetic metals, exceptfor the C cores. For example, stainless steel is utilized for inductorand bearing ring support, where high strength is required. A mil-specversion could be made entirely of titanium, for example.

Also for example, with regards to the radial dimension, the generatorcan be configured such that the radius of the hollow center is one thirdof the outer fin annulus, the wind rotor assembly is two thirds, inwhich these exemplary proportions apply to all sizes of machine.

Also for example, with regards to the outer diameter, the generator canbe configured to be a taller machine than windblade length. For example,the exemplary design naturally supports machines that are wider thantaller, which can tolerate extreme wind conditions better. Expanding therotor radius provides and exponential increase in wind swept area (acylinder), while blade length provides a linear increase, for example.

Also for example, with regards to the wind deflecting blades, thegenerator can be configured such that there is an “even” number of winddeflecting stationary blades greater than the “odd” number of windreceiving rotor blades. The even/odd relationship between fins and rotorblades allows rotor motion to start in the least amount of wind.

Also for example, with regards to the respective currents, these can besynchronous currents. Synchronous generation means that current flowexactly tracks magnetic flux transitions, producing a sinusoidal voltagethat increases with frequency. Steel inductor cores concentrate fluxfrom rotor magnetic fields, focused in the axial direction by theplacement and polarity of magnets passing between. An elementalsynchronous design is one of the ways to ensure maximum electricalconversion efficiency.

Also for example, with regards to the inductor coils in the connectionto form a 3-phase inductor module, such connection of how the coilsconnect can be a Wye connection. For example, a Wye connection meansthat one end of each inductor is attached in common, while the otherends attach to 3-phase U, V, and W terminals. The 3-phase can also bewired in “delta” where each end of the inductors connects in atriangular way with U, V, and W on the corners.

Also for example, with regards to the DC output voltage, this caninclude a DC output voltage equal to peak AC voltage. For example, amaximum electrical conversion efficiency can include a 3-phasemodularity. For example, a single phase rectifiers may produce a DCvoltage that is half the peak AC voltage.

Also for example, with regards to the mode-switching circuit, this caninclude a voltage sourced converter (VSC). For example, adding a highspeed switching transistor, like an insulated gate bipolar transistor(IGBT) in parallel with each of the six diodes in the linear rectifiercreates a controlled 3-phase rectifier. The rapid switching oftransistor gates in certain patterns in the VSC supports “four-quadrant”operations. For example, in a graph of motor torque vs. speed in bothforward and reverse directions, above the speed axis to the right of thetorque axis is quadrant I, below the right speed axis is quadrant II,left of the torque axis and below the speed axis is quadrant III, andthe upper left is quadrant IV. Motor operating modes are summarizedbelow for each quadrant:

Quadrant I: Leading power factor inverter for forward motoring.

Quadrant II: Lagging power factor inverter for forward braking.

Quadrant III: Leading power factor rectifier for reverse motoring.

Quadrant IV: Lagging power factor rectifier for reverse braking.

In this application, for example, since the wind rotor always moves inthe forward direction, only quadrants I and III may be used forregulating rotor speed and DC output voltage, with QI operationsaccelerating the rotor while reducing DC output voltage, and QIIIoperations slowing the rotor while raising the DC voltage. These work inconjunction with random and uncontrollable external forces on the rotor:wind and electrical loading. Wind accelerates the rotor while raisingthe DC voltage, and loading decelerates the rotor while lowering DCvoltage. An exemplary design element for maximum electrical conversionefficiency can include the placement of motoring thrust force at theedge of the rotor, where torque is amplified by the rotor radius. Thiscan allow for smaller inductors and magnets to produce much greatertorque than a rotary equivalent during motoring operations, and greaterpower output while generating.

Also, for example, with regards to the sensing circuit, a synchronous3-phase magnetics design allows the VSC to directly sense rotor speed onthe DC output, e.g., because it generates clean sine wave AC into whichharmonics created by high-speed transistor switching are superimposedwithout interference from rotor harmonics. Post 3-phase rectifier DCcontent contains steady ripple currents based on fundamental AC outputand transistor harmonics which are analyzed by digital signal processingto provide direct control of motoring torque and speed without externalsensors that can fail (another fault-tolerant feature).

Also, for example, with regards to the opposite magnetic orientations,each magnet can be polarized on the narrow dimension so that axial fluxis maximized when placed in opposite orientations in the rotor.

Also, for example, in the exemplary wind energy generators, electricalcomponents are located where airflow is greatest, and the wind isblowing faster when power is greatest. So, the modular architectureallows the hottest parts (e.g., inductors and semiconductors) to beplaced directly on the metallic annulus base of the wind statorassembly, which acts as a large heatsink. This allows much more powerfrom multiple smaller cores and embedded electronics than a monolithicgenerator and controller.

0. Outline of the Patent Document

The disclosed wind power generators are also referred in this patentdocument to as the electronic inertial power (EiP) wind machine. The EiPwind machine includes a direct drive vertical axis wind turbine forelectrical generation from wind. The EiP wind machine provides aplatform for direct generation, storage, and stabilization of electricpower from a single moving mass. The EiP wind machine is ideally suitedfor wind conditions on the urban rooftop, including turbulence.

The disclosure of this patent document is organized with the followingtop-level headings:

Section 1: Introduction. This section includes a general overview of theEiP wind machine and exemplary applications.

Section 2: Operation Principles. This section includes a description ofhow the disclosed technology works, and presents mathematical models forvarious aspects of operation.

Section 3: Mechanical and Aerodynamic Specification. This sectionincludes a description of exemplary embodiments of the EiP wind machinephysical form and function.

Section 4: Exemplary Electronics Hardware Specification. This sectionincludes a description of exemplary embodiments of the EiP electronicarchitecture.

Section 5: System Architecture. This section includes a description ofexemplary system integration and networking concepts.

Section 6: Exemplary Programming Specification. This section includes adescription of an exemplary EiP wind machine software interface.

1. Introduction

Disclosed are electronic inertial power generation devices, systems, andmethods that produce electrical energy from environmental sources suchas wind, waves, and other ‘clean’ or ‘green’ energy sources. Variousembodiments and implementations of the disclosed electronic inertialpower generation technology (or EiP technology) are described,particularly wind power generators that are scalable on a local scale,e.g., referred to as the EiP wind machine. The EiP wind machine includesa direct drive vertical axis wind turbine with an impulse rotor. Therotor is surrounded by stationary vertical fins, in a sturdy structurethat concentrates wind from all directions toward vertical rotor blades.The EiP wind machine is able to convert wind to electrical energy from arooftop with no tower, handling a wide range of wind conditions withoutmechanical adjustment. EiP technology adapts direct electricalgeneration to the impulse rotor, so power can be extracted from suddenchanges in wind speed (gusts) in random directions (turbulence), as wellas steady winds.

Conventional impulse turbines deliver high working torque, but haveproven to be poor electrical generators. Since the rotor naturally movesno faster than wind speed, a mechanical gearbox is required to spin agenerator fast enough to convert rotor torque to electromagnetic torque;tens of rotations must be converted to thousands. This amplifiesmagnetic drag from the generator, hindering rotor movement. Mechanicaltransmissions in all wind machines are the most common point ofcatastrophic failure in exposure to the elements, requiring continuousmaintenance.

Alternatively, vertical axis wind turbines that directly drive apermanent magnet generator at rotor speed follow a “single mass” modelthat is simple and reliable. However, for enough electromagnetic torquethe generator must have many magnetic poles, along with correspondingamounts of steel core and copper windings. The generator radius must belarge enough to accommodate all the poles, so shearing forces on thecentral shaft limit instantaneous electromagnetic torque. Also,distributed copper windings around the armature pick up stray magneticfields that cause electrical inefficiency and noise.

Generally, all direct drive wind generators must compromise power outputfor less than optimal electromagnetic torque. As size and powerincrease, the generator fails to keep up with wind rotor torqueresulting in less efficiency. Since wind is an overabundant and freeresource, the simplicity of direct generation from a single mass ispreferred. However, power productivity over the generator lifetime islow.

The EiP wind machine offers the solution for direct power generationfrom a slow and heavy vertical rotor. This new type of electricalmachine is presented here, with a modular structure that is adaptableand scalable to a larger rotor and greater power. The EiP wind machinerepresents a quantum leap forward in power production directly from thewind, converting a wide variety of wind conditions to stable and usefulpower.

The EiP wind machine is ultra-reliable and fault-tolerant by design. Bydecentralizing or eliminating all of the parts that cause the mostdowntime, the EiP wind machine produces more power over its operatinglife than any other design. Through a modular architecture, componentfailures cause only reduced power output while the machine keeps runningFailed components can be quickly replaced during scheduled serviceintervals, reducing total downtime.

1.1 EiP Wind Machine Overview

The EiP wind machine is an energy conversion device, which efficientlytransforms mechanical torque with high inertia to electromagnetictorque, producing useful power in a fraction of rotation. The EiP windmachine includes a permanent magnet generator with many poles and corewindings. EiP technology supports a generator radius greater than thewind rotor radius, where generator magnetics populate the circumference.With no central shaft and main bearing, unlimited electromagnetic torqueresponse is possible. The EiP wind machine includes a unique verticalaxis wind turbine design of the disclosed EiP technology thatefficiently transforms mechanical torque with high inertia toelectromagnetic torque, and produces electrical energy from wind passinginto the EiP wind machine.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show three-dimensional views of an exemplary EiP windmachine 100. FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional diagram of the lowerportion of the EiP wind machine 100. The EiP wind machine 100 includes asupport base 120 to support an electronic inertial power generation unit110 of the disclosed technology. The support base 120 can include aplurality of struts positioned along the outside region of a base frame,which supports the electronic inertial power generation unit 110. Insome implementations, for example, the support base 120 can include aplurality of legs 125 to raise the support base 120, and thereby the EiPwind machine 100, to a desired height. The electronic inertial powergeneration unit 110 includes an annulus ring track 112 able to attach tothe base support 120 and structured to provide a circular track aroundwhich a circular array of inductors 102 (e.g., inductor coils) islocated. For example, the inductors 102 of the array are fixed inposition in the annulus ring track 112 over the support base 120 in acircular array. The electronic inertial power generation unit 110includes rollers (e.g., track roller bearings) placed in the circulartrack of the annulus ring track 112 to roll in the circular track tomove around the annulus ring track 112. In some embodiments, forexample, the annulus ring track 112 includes an upper inductor supportring 112A that contains the upper half of the inductor array, and theannulus ring track 112 includes a lower inductor and bearings supportring 112B, which contains the lower half of the inductor array. In someimplementations, for example, the struts of the support base 120 areattached to the upper and lower support rings 112A and 112B to provide agap (e.g., a fraction of an inch (e.g., ⅛ in) to a half of an inch, suchas 0.2 in.) for a magnetic rotor annulus to rotate between the upper andlower inductors contained in the upper and lower support rings 112A and112B.

The electronic inertial power generation unit 110 includes an annulusring rotor 114 placed on the annulus ring track 112 and engaged to therollers along the circular track of the annulus ring track 112. Forexample, in some implementations as shown in FIG. 1C, the annulus ringrotor 114 is configured between the upper support ring 112A and thelower support ring 112B of the annulus ring track 112, in which thelower support ring 112B includes the rollers (e.g., track rollerbearings) that support a bearing track ring of the annulus ring rotor114. For example, the bearing track ring can be structured to have twofaces perpendicular to one another, such that one face is engaged withthe rollers (e.g., track roller bearings) of the annuls ring track 112,and the other perpendicular face extends downward from the annulus ringrotor 114's lower surface. For example, the annulus ring track 112 caninclude horizontal rollers (e.g., horizontal guide bearings) that engagethe perpendicular portion of the bearing track ring (e.g., roll aboutthe perpendicular track of the bearing track ring) to guide the rotationof the annulus ring rotor 114 to maintain its position in the x-y planeas it rotates with respect to the inductor arrays of the annulus ringtrack 112. The annulus ring rotor 114 can rotate relative to the anannulus ring track 112, e.g., by operation of rolling motion of therollers in the circular track, without having a rotary shaft in thecenter of the annulus ring rotor for rotating the annulus ring rotor114. The annulus ring rotor 114 is structured to include separatemagnets 104 evenly spaced from one another on the annulus ring rotor 114(e.g., on an outer peripheral of the annulus ring rotor 114) to movethrough the circular array of inductor coils (e.g., between the upperand lower inductor arrays) as the annulus ring rotor 114 rotates overthe annulus ring track 112, e.g., so that the relative motion betweenthe magnets and the inductor coils causes generation of electriccurrents in the inductor coils.

The electronic inertial power generation unit 110 includes a cylindricalwind rotor assembly 116 located above and coupled to the annulus ringrotor 114, e.g., which forms a unified assembly, to rotate with theannulus ring rotor 114 relative to the annulus ring track 112. The windrotor assembly 116 is structured to include a plurality of wind rotorblades 117 (e.g., wind-deflecting blades) that are spaced from oneanother and arranged in a circle around the wind rotor assembly 116 toform a hollow central cylindrical interior space for containing a windvortex formed from deflecting of the received wind by thewind-deflecting blades 117. The wind rotor assembly 116 is operable toconvert received wind, e.g., received from any direction, into arotation of the unified assembly relative to the annulus ring track 112,thus causing conversion of the wind energy into the electric currents inthe inductor coils, and thereby producing electrical energy. Forexample, in some implementations of the wind rotor blades 117, thewind-deflecting blade can have a structure including a curved bladeportion to deflect the received wind into a wind vortex inside a hollowcentral region of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly. For example, thecurved blade portion in each wind-deflecting blade can have a geometryof a portion of a cylinder. For example, the curved blade portion ineach wind-deflecting blade can include a geometry of one third of acylinder.

As shown in the diagrams of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic inertialpower generation unit 110 can include a cylindrical wind stator assembly118 that is configured in a fixed position relative to the support base120 and the annulus ring track 112. The wind stator assembly 118includes stator wind-receiving fins 119, e.g., arranged in a circle thatis outside of and encloses the cylindrical wind rotor assembly 116. Thestator wind-receiving fins 119 are structured to direct received windfrom any direction inwards and towards the wind-deflecting blades 117 ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly 116. The stator wind-receiving fins119 and the wind-deflecting blades 117 are structured to collectivelyand efficiently convert the received wind into a rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly. In some embodiments of the wind statorassembly 118, for example, the stator wind-receiving fin 119 include apipe or rod having a curved outer edge as a first interface of the windpower generator with the received wind. For example, the statorwind-receiving fin can include a fin portion that is slanted inorientation with respect to a radial direction of the cylindrical windstator assembly and is configured to receive and direct wind into thewind-deflecting blades of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly. Forexample, the fin portion can be configured to be slanted in orientationwith respect to a radial direction of the cylindrical wind statorassembly at 45 degrees.

For example, the stator wind-receiving fins 119 can include a finportion formed of a metal or metallic alloy, e.g., such as an aluminumfin portion. In some embodiments, for example, the stator wind-receivingfins 119 and the wind-deflecting blades 117 are configured so that aradial dimension of the cylindrical wind stator assembly 118, a radialdimension of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly 116, and a radius ofthe hollow central cylindrical interior space 111 in the center of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly 116 are substantially the same. Forexample, the cylindrical wind stator assembly 118 can be configured tohave an outer diameter greater than a length of the cylindrical windstator assembly along a cylindrical axis of the cylindrical wind statorassembly. In some embodiments, for example, the number of the statorwind-receiving fins 119 of the cylindrical wind stator assembly 118 canbe configured to be greater than a number of the wind-deflecting blades117 of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly 116. In some embodiments, forexample, each wind-deflecting blade 117 includes a curved blade portion,and the stator wind-receiving fins 119 are slanted in orientation withrespect to respective radial directions of the cylindrical wind statorassembly 118 to direct received wind towards a concave side of thecurved blade portion of each wind-deflecting blade 117.

Referring to FIG. 1C, for example, the electronic inertial powergeneration unit 110 can be structured such that the inductor coils inthe circular array of inductor coils are configured into independentinductor modules that operate independently from one module to another,in which example, each inductor module can include (1) three adjacentinductor coils that are connected to one another to form a 3-phaseinductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacent inductorcoils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectively produce anAC output current from three currents respectively generated by thethree adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuit coupled toreceive the AC output current and to produce a DC output voltage. Forexample, the rectifier circuit of an inductor module can include athree-phase diode bridge rectifier circuit formed of six diodes.

In some implementations, for example, the electronic inertial powergeneration unit 110 can be structured such that the inductor coils inthe circular array of inductor coils are configured as independentinductor modules that operate independently from one module to another,in which each inductor module includes (1) three adjacent inductor coilsthat are connected to one another to form a 3-phase inductor module toso that the phases of the three adjacent inductor coils are separated byone third of a cycle to collectively produce an AC output current fromthree currents respectively generated by the three adjacent inductorcoils, and (2) a rectifier circuit coupled to receive the AC outputcurrent and to produce a DC output voltage; and in which the inductormodules are configured as independent inductor module groups where eachinductor module group includes 3 or more inductor modules, the inductormodules within each inductor module group are coupled to produce aninductor module group output, and different inductor module groups areseparated and operate independently from one to another.

For example, each inductor module group can include a mode-switchingcircuit in a selected inductor module in the inductor module group andcoupled to a rectifier circuit of the selected inductor module toinactivate the rectifier circuit to allow the selected inductor moduleto operate in an AC mode for producing an AC output or to activate therectifier circuit to allow the select inductor module to operate in anDC mode for producing an DC output, and a control circuit coupled to themode-switching circuit to control the operation the mode-switchingcircuit in switching the selected inductor module between the AC modeand the DC mode. For example, each inductor module group can include asensing circuit coupled in the selected inductor module in the inductormodule group that senses a rotation condition of the cylindrical windrotor assembly based on timing and magnitudes of currents in theinductor coils within the selected inductor module and, based on thesensed rotation condition, the control circuit is configured to controlthe AC mode operation of the selected inductor module in response to thereceived wind condition to accelerate or decelerate the rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly so that the rotation of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly varies dynamically with received wind condition tomaximize an efficiency in converting the received wind power intoelectricity.

In some implementations, for example, each inductor coil can include afirst half inductor coil part that includes a first magnetic core and afirst conductor wire coil that winds around the first magnetic core, anda second half inductor coil part that includes a second magnetic coreand a second conductor wire coil that winds around the second magneticcore, in which the first and second half inductor coil parts arepositioned at opposite sides of a plane in which the magnets in theouter peripheral of the annulus ring rotor rotate to position themagnets between the first and second half inductor coil parts. In someimplementations, for example, each of the first and second half inductorcoil parts can include a C shaped magnetic core having two terminal endsthat interface with the magnets in the outer peripheral of the annulusring rotor, and two adjacent magnets in the outer peripheral of theannulus ring rotor are placed in opposite magnetic orientations withrespect to each other. For example, the C shaped magnetic core can beconfigured to have the two terminal ends spaced from each other by aspacing of two adjacent magnets in the outer peripheral of the annulusring rotor.

In some implementations, for example, the control circuit can include adigital signal processor that is programmed with software to control,based on the sensed rotation condition from the sensing circuit, the ACand DC modes of operation of the selected inductor module in theinductor module group. In some implementations, for example, the controlcircuit can be configured to control the inductor coils within theselected inductor module to cause the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly to be in a coasting mode which maintains a constant speedof the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly at a givenreceived wind condition and produces a DC output of the wind powergenerator, a motoring mode which speeds up the rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly while reducing a DC output of the windpower generator, or a generating mode which slows down the rotation ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly while increasing the a DC output ofthe wind power generator. In some implementations, for example, thecontrol circuit is configured to control, based on the sensed rotationcondition from the sensing circuit, the selected inductor module tooperate in or switch to one of the coasting mode, the motoring mode, orthe generating mode to dynamically synchronize operation of the windpower generator to the received wind condition and a load condition thatdraws power from the wind power generator.

In a quiet, strong, and unimposing form, the EiP wind machine 100converts wind (e.g., rooftop wind) into stable electric power, from asingle moving mass rotating inside a stationary one. Wind enters themachine 100 from all sides, and exits through the top and bottom of thehollow core 111. The electronic inertial power generation unit 110 ofthe EiP wind machine 100 has no central shaft or mechanical connectionsother than wind, only electrical and networking interfaces.

Rapidly rotating lines of magnetic flux from permanent magnets in therotor generate electric power as they pass between stationary inductors.In some embodiments, for example, the EiP wind machine 100 can beconfigured to be approximately six feet in diameter, supporting eightymagnetic pole pairs (160 magnets). Figures in this patent document arebased on this exemplary design, which demonstrates and proves thedisclosed technology. This exemplary embodiment represents a minimumpractical size of EiP wind machine. EiP technology is scalable to muchlarger size and power.

1.1.1 Adapting Electrical Generation to Simple Mechanics

Exemplary embodiments of the EiP wind machine can include simplemechanical components and devices, with integrated electricalgeneration. In general, there is one moving part: the wind/magneticrotor (e.g., the wind rotor assembly 116 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). Thewind swept area is effectively a cylinder of rotor blade height. In someembodiments of the EiP wind machine, for example, the wind rotor isattached on top of the magnetic rotor, which contains a ring of magnetspositioned near the outer edge. Stationary vertical fins encapsulate therotor in a sturdy structure that directs wind toward the center, e.g.,which can provide a framework for stationary inductors (stators).Instead of one massive steel core with distributed windings, statorsegments are modular “C” cores wound with copper and equally spacedaround the rotor magnets, paired above and below. As the rotor slowlyspins, magnetic flux circulates at high speed through stator pairs,generating pure sinewave AC power, with voltage and frequency increasingwith rotor speed (synchronous power). Synchronous power is combined andregulated by integrated EiP oscillator electronics in a modular array ofstators.

1.1.2 Utilizing the Inertia of a Massive Rotor

A larger radius wind rotor increases the wind swept area and energypotential, although at slower rotation speed. Inertia and mechanicaltorque increase with the square of the radius, along with overallweight, like a large and heavy flywheel. The large flywheel is anexcellent storage and regulation device for mechanical torque, but tooslow moving for direct electrical generation on a shaft. In most windturbines, the rotor needs to be superlight to spin faster than windspeed to directly run a generator shaft. EiP technology converts highmechanical torque at slow speed directly into useful electric power atthe edge, not the center, maximized and stabilized at low speed by thelarge radius and enhanced mass of the wind rotor.

Energy storage flywheels typically use a rotor of small radius andoperate at high speed, since energy storage potential increasesexponentially with speed. In EiP technology, the flywheel is a heavyrotating cylinder; at a certain speed accumulated inertia becomessignificant, magnifying the energy potential in small changes of angularvelocity. EiP technology recirculates power from excess inertia towardcontrolling rotor speed, further enhancing the flywheel storage time.

High inertia delivers peak power output resembling a massive batterybank. EiP wind machines eliminate the need for batteries and othertemporary storage. Where long-term storage is required, like in off-gridapplications, the battery bank could be replaced by fuel cells.

1.1.3 Modular Architecture

The disclosed EiP technology enhances power production from less weightand cost of materials, through massive parallelism with a modulararchitecture. Breaking down a massive amount of magnets, iron, copper,and silicon into optimized modules produces more power from theequivalent material mass of the monolithic approach. EiP technologyprovides a new type of three-phase generator module, stacked around therotor edge, where thrust force is multiplied by the rotor radius fortotal torque. In other words, the equivalent electrical input for arotary machine is amplified by the radius upon which the module operatesto deliver greater torque from the same amount of copper, steel, andmagnets.

In some implementations, for example, each generator module is alinearized three-phase machine that receives excitation from themagnetic track around the wind rotor, instead of a rotary shaft. Usingthree split inductors, half above and half below the rotor, with respectto eight rotor magnets passing between at any moment, EiP technologyincludes a specific physical layout for magnets and stators thatenforces three-phase synchronous operation between any three adjacentstators. Since each module is synchronous, standard three-phaseelectronic rectifiers and industrial drives are available off-the-shelffor DC conversion and motoring control.

In a minimal configuration, for example, three modules are arrangedaround the rotor one hundred twenty degrees apart. For more power, fourcan be arranged ninety degrees apart in quadrature. Six can form a starconfiguration with sixty degrees of separation. The number can beexpanded geometrically, until the entire circumference of the EiPmachine is fully populated with generator modules.

1.1.4 Direct Conversion of Electromagnetic Torque to Power

In some implementations, for example, EiP technology uses a sensorlesstechnique that reads timing cues directly from synchronous power, usingdigital signal processing. Electromagnetic torque control occurs fasterthan changes in wind speed, so energy from wind gusts is smoothlyabsorbed from rotor torque changes.

Smooth torque control gently speeds up the rotor, storing excess energyas inertia, which accumulates dramatically with speed. Generator modulesoperate as motors and generators at the same time, while EiP technologyresponds faster than the wind, and even faster to changes in load.

Essentially, for example, the EiP machine contains many smallerelectrical machines sharing and combining power on a DC network. Forspeed control, one module acts as a motor while two or more generate.The motoring module maintains speed under load by injecting bursts ofthrust applied to the rotor radius. At a certain speed, energy frominertia exceeds the load and electrical/mechanical overhead, creating acondition referred to as “overhauling”, from which power is harvested byreverse motoring, when the motoring module becomes a generator.

1.1.5 Energy Storage by Electronic-Mechanical Oscillation

EiP technology combines energy from wind and inertia with electronicactions, to spawn the EiP oscillation. Rotational inertia allows therotor to resist changes in speed: acceleration with a sudden gust ofwind, or deceleration under changes in electrical load. The EiPoscillation amplifies inertial effects in a positive direction:increasing the uptake of wind power from a heavy rotor while reducingslowdown from peak loading. In effect, for example, multiplying rotorflywheel energy storage time using only the tiny amount of powerrequired to keep electronics running.

1.1.6 Cleaner and More Efficient Power Generation

When all of the windings of a large conventional generator are stitchedtogether, they pick up stray magnetic fields leaking out of the rotor.The resulting AC output is ragged, full of rotor harmonics, whichproduce heat not useful power. The synchronous generator produces puresine waves. EiP technology breaks up and isolates core elements ascompact segments, using a novel electronic/magnetic design thatconcentrates stray magnetic fields. The result is a modular synchronouspower with low harmonic content, efficiently converted to DC andcombined with other modules.

1.2 Urban Rooftop Wind Power

EiP wind machine aerodynamics and slow rotation speed make it ideallysuited for the rooftop. The EiP wind machine can be placed on therooftop for maximum wind exposure, with no tower. Wind flows in from allaround, extracting maximum instantaneous wind force from gusts in anydirection. The rotor is quiet because it spins so slowly, with a hollowcenter that enhances windflow through the machine. Neighboring EiP windmachines combine on the locally shared grid, to create an urban windfarm that derives its resource potential from windflows and turbulencethat occur near rooftops.

1.2.1 Power From Wind Gusts

Conventional wind machines require steady non-turbulent wind conditions,which rarely occur in the urban setting. More often, high wind energyappears in brief and powerful gusts. EiP technology converts power fromthe impulse rotor within a fraction of rotation, much faster than windspeed changes. Instead of a ten-minute interval, EiP technology capturespower in milliseconds.

The EiP wind machine is ultra-reliable and sturdy enough to handleextremely high wind gusts, which normally destroy wind machines on talltowers. Immediate repairs are not required for single componentfailures, through a redundant architecture that spreads the electricaland mechanical load, allowing continued operation at reduced power.Failed parts are identified during runtime, and replaced during regularservice intervals, for low overall downtime.

1.2.2 Power from No Wind

With a tiny amount power from the grid, the EiP wind machine rotor staysspinning without help from the wind. In “standby” mode, rotor inertiaand aerodynamics plus electronic speed control hyper-sensitize theuptake of energy from light random wind gusts and rooftop heatconvection. While power from the grid trickles in, the EiP wind machinedelivers power backed by rotor inertia and electronics, with vast surgepotential. High surge power stabilizes peaks and dips in local gridservice, and assists directly connected solar panels and fuel cells indelivery of solid grid-quality power without batteries.

1.2.3 EiP Wind Machine and Rooftop Solar

In some implementations of the disclosed EiP technology, the EiP windmachine can be integrated with rooftop solar systems to provide anexpansive multi-sourced renewable (“green” or “clean”) energy solution,e.g., in urban or rural settings. Rooftop solar works great duringdaylight hours on sunny days, in places where structures are unshaded bytrees and tall buildings. Rooftop solar fails to deliver energy outputover the course of a 24-hour day. However, rooftop solar is a great wayto extract power from the urban landscape, with zero maintenance andfuel costs in the long term.

The EiP wind machine is the ideal urban rooftop energy source,generating power for local consumption, in a quiet, sturdy, andarchitecturally pleasing form, in daylight or total darkness. The EiPwind machine takes up very little roof space with respect to total poweroutput, with low impact on the urban landscape, no towers or guy wires,no sharp edges or exposed windblades. The EiP wind machine isstandalone. Just place it on a sturdy rooftop platform, and hook it upto the grid. A network interface (wired or wireless) provides setup,monitoring, and control functions from any location. In combination withrooftop solar, the EiP wind machine provides backup storage and surgepower as a low-speed high inertia flywheel, providing an alternative tobattery banks.

1.3 High Reliability Scalable Modular Design

One of the greatest failings of wind turbines is scalability to largersize. Smaller models seem to work great in the lab, but when the radiusis expanded the speed of rotation slows and mechanical torque increasesto a point where efficient electric power production is impossible. Inthe EiP wind machine, electric power generation naturally expands withrotor size. Slowness is not a problem, since the larger radius allowsspace for a greater number of power generating parts. EiP designprinciples are scalable, expandable for maximum energy uptake and poweroutput for an EiP wind machine of very large size.

The optimal EiP wind machine size matches the resource potential for theinstalled location. The height and radius of a modular “windzone” isselected, which defines total mechanical power. A larger windzone radiussupports more generator poles required to produce maximum power at theaverage speed of rotation. Modular EiP electromagnetic components areadded to interact with permanent magnets embedded around the rotorcircumference, for optimized power output.

1.3.1 Fault Tolerant Mechanical Design

For reliability, the EiP wind machine has only one moving part, wheremechanical systems are replaced with magnets, coils, and electronics.Direct drive requires no mechanical gearboxes, slip rings, orcommutation. For example, main bearing failure causes the most downtimein conventional wind machines. The hollow center of the disclosed EiPtechnology eliminates the main bearing, e.g., using multiple smallerbearings that spread the load around the rotor circumference, wherestresses are least. For example, if a bearing should fail, overalloperation is unaffected.

1.3.2 Generator Modules

For example, the second highest source of downtime is generator failure.The EiP wind machine splits the generator into discrete inductors,organized as three-phase modules sharing a common DC connection.Integrated rectifiers convert three-phase AC into DC, isolating eachgenerator module from the next. If one should fail, the machine keepsrunning under reduced power output, not total shutdown.

The EiP windzone, where wind is converted to mechanical energy, has onemoving part that spins inside a stationary one. Overall height andradius define the total wind swept area, the surface area of a cylinder.Also, for example, options for architectural considerations like color,height restrictions, and roof space, can also be selected, and combinedfor a specific EiP wind machine configuration.

1.3.3 Low Cost and Manufacturable Design

Through EiP technology, the size of all electromagnetic elements areoptimized, fine-tuned for maximum power production at least weight andcost, and replicated in a modular design. The EiP wind machine can bebuilt from common materials, e.g., like stainless steel, aluminum,copper, and magnets, found in any high efficiency front load washingmachine. Structural parts can be fabricated from laser cut plate stock.Other parts, like magnets, inductor cores, coils, electronics, andbearings, can be selected from a wide range of original equipmentmanufacturer (OEM) sources. A prime advantage of EiP technology is tobuild locally, assembling the EiP wind machine near the place ofinstallation, using non-exotic facilities, skills, and fabricationtechniques.

1.4 EiP Spontaneous Networking Technology

EiP technology specifies a network interface (e.g., wireless, wired, orfiber optic) for monitoring and control of the EiP wind machine from aconvenient location. Using this interface, for example, multiple EiPwind machines can operate as “spontaneous” networks, linked by locationand real-time power demands. Power conditioning is a byproduct of EiPwind machine architecture, stabilizing delivery of renewable energy at alocal level. In an illustrative example, EiP wind machines onspontaneous networks in over populated areas capture waves of power asgusts propagate around town. Every EiP wind machine on the network isable to share status to all others, tapping into a real-time stream ofwind and grid conditions, through which all EiP wind machinessynchronize power storage and regulation. As excess power is created byone machine, another can instantly absorb it, working with all other EiPwind machines on the grid segment to locally balance power demands.

1.4.1 Grid Intertie that Satisfies Local Power Demand

Unfortunately, the existing power grid is essentially an energy wastingsystem, with wind power integration considered to be a nuisance. Lossesfrom hundreds of miles of copper wire, combined with the heating ofmagnetic steel in transformers that regulate power for delivery, cancelout power coming onto the grid from the wind. For the grid to remain onat all times, powerplants must be running at full power to maintain themagnetic fields required for grid regulation, and wind farms must bebacked by “flexible” hydro or fossil fuel generation. Local energyproduction and conservation simply reduce power bills but in the bigpicture, no actual power is generated for the grid. Grid intertiedrenewable energy is just a gimmick that simply moves the meter backward,where excess renewable energy is simply dissipated into the servicetransformer as heat.

EiP wind machines offer the ideal solution for generation and resale ofrooftop power for the local grid. For billing and power management, aprivate encrypted channel on the EiP spontaneous network, providesremote management of all EiP wind machines in the utility domain. Theprivate channel accurately reports network-wide renewable uptake vs.grid delivery, in a true net metering architecture. Widespread use ofEiP wind machines offers a way to eliminate the sidecar powerplants thatbackup all large wind and solar farms, and all of the wasted power forgrid regulation, which cannot be sold to subscribers.

1.4.2 Self Organizing Local Positioning System

On the spontaneous network, a constant flow of information indicatesinstantaneous energy conditions. In each EiP wind machine real-time datais mapped to the local terrain (both physical and electrical), creatinga framework for power sharing focused on local demands. Since all EiPwind machines generate power near where power is used, and operate morequickly that wind and load changes, each anticipates and adjusts forsurges and sags that ripple through the network, e.g., capable of addingjust enough surplus power at the right moment for regulation. Forexample, since location is key, this framework creates the side effectof a self-organizing local positioning system, which is totallyground-based, requiring no satellites or transoceanic fiber.

1.5 EiP Technology and Sustainable Grid Systems

The hallmark of a sustainable energy system is the production of excessrenewable energy, producing always in excess of what is needed, dumpingexcess energy to maintain balance. In times of low energy production,like a dark cloudy day when using solar, temporary storage is requiredwhich allows a limited time of use until power shuts down. Once powerhas failed, the true meaning of sustainability is revealed: produce morethan you use, or take a break.

The grid is unsustainable, requiring massive energy input greatly inexcess of anticipated demands, regardless of natural limits. EiPtechnology opens the pathway to a sustainable grid, where many EiP windmachines provide localized power generation, storage, and regulation,sharing excess power at the right moment, with extreme efficiency. Longdistance power lines and step-up transformers are eliminated, along withsidecar powerplants for wind farms.

1.5.1 Local Solution for Backup and Energy Storage

Spontaneous EiP wind machine networks can be operated to transparentlytake over when grid power sources falter. For example, the heavy rotorprovides enough inertia to ride through temporary power disturbances.For example, the sturdy structure of the EiP wind machine resistsfailure under hurricane-force winds, so local service is maintained eventhough long distance power lines have been severed. In the urbansetting, for example, EiP technology delivers the solution for sharinglocally generated renewable energy, with low cost and minimal impact.Widespread adoption of EiP technology eliminates the need for largedistant powerplants, huge transformers, and long inefficienttransmission systems. When many EiP wind machines are combined on thenetwork, their combined electromagnetic torque represents tremendousinstantaneous power capacity to meet load demands, or back down gentlywhen resources are low.

1.5.2 Pathway to 100% Renewable Power Grid

EiP technology embeds power generation under high-speed electroniccontrol into the large flywheel. Networks of EiP wind machines acrossthe urban landscape can create a wind farm with enough inertia to powera fast and efficient capture, storage, and regulation system thatinstantly converts the ebb and flow of rooftop resources into steadyconsumer power. For example, if distant hydropower, wind farms, andtransmission systems fail, distributed local generation and distributionsystems based on EiP technology operate without disruption, backed bythe engineered design of the EiP wind machine; the missing ingredientfor 100% renewable power.

2 Operation Principles

EiP technology includes a specific arrangement of magnetics plusembedded electronic control for a modular linear synchronous machine.Modules are combined around the rotor circumference to form a largesynchronous permanent magnet machine. The magnetic circuit designguarantees three-phase excitation for any three adjacent stators, forexample, which can be equally spaced around a magnetic track in therotor. Integrated EiP oscillator electronics combine power on a commonDC connection (DC link). Each module generates power from highmechanical torque at slow rotor speed, from rotor magnetic fields atfast electrical speed. Three modules form a minimal EiP machine,duplicated around the rotor in groups for massive electromagnetic torquepotential. Total power is the sum all modules, for example, likelocomotives on a circular track, except that each one multiplies itstorque by the rotor radius. When fully populated, for example, the EiPmachine delivers electromagnetic torque more quickly and powerfully thanconventional generators and transmissions.

2.1 EiP Machine: Ultra High Efficiency Axial Flux Generator

Axial magnetic flux, in parallel with the center of the rotor, powersmany common vertical axis wind machines. Many use stators without aniron core, only copper coils with steel mounting plates holding surfacemounted magnets that rotate around. This reduces the effects of magneticdrag from attraction to inductor cores, reducing the minimum wind speedfor startup. However, this design fails to concentrate rotor flux towardelectric power production.

EiP technology provides a new electrical energy generation machine: amodular high torque slow speed axial flux generator, with interiorpermanent magnetic poles, and no central shaft. EiP technology advancesthe axial flux generator design far beyond normal limits, concentratingall magnetic flux to synchronous power, maximizing electromagnetictorque from the least amount of copper and steel, unlimited by shearingstress on a central shaft.

The EiP machine combines three-phase modular magnetics with embedded EiPoscillator electronics, to convert sudden fluctuations in mechanicaltorque to stable electric power backed by rotor inertia. The modularapproach provides the best way to adapt efficient power generation to alarge and slow-moving wind rotor.

2.1.1 No Drive Shaft, Unlimited Torque

One primary difference between the EiP machine and other largegenerators is greater electromagnetic torque potential because of nocentral shaft, where shear strength limits thrust on a large radius. TheEiP technology includes modular magnetics that match mechanical torqueat the rotor's edge with overwhelming thrust force, e.g., instead oftwisting and breaking a shaft. Also, for example, the bearing load isspread around rather than centralized, for fault-tolerance andhigh-reliability.

2.1.2 Load Controlled Rotor Speed

EiP technology includes regulation of the rotor speed by electricalloading on the DC link, or reverse generating (motoring). Loading slowsthe rotor, while wind speeds it up, all at random times. Usinginstantaneous bursts of forward and reverse motoring, total inertia ismaintained as speed changes occur in a controlled fashion.

2.1.3 Enhanced Flywheel Storage Through EiP Oscillator Electronics

The EiP magnetic rotor represents the ideal flywheel for high torque atslow speed, naturally bolstering wind power uptake. Embedded EiPoscillator electronics inject thrust response to random changes in afraction of rotation, faster than mechanical speed. This converts a widedynamic range of wind conditions to gradual rotor speed changes.

When load is less than wind plus inertia, electronic interactions extendinertial storage time beyond the flywheel storage effect. As rotor speedgoes up and down in a relaxation oscillation, it directs power from windand inertia toward electrical loads plus rotor speed regulation. A smallchange in rotor speed corresponds to a large change in energy potential.

For even greater storage time, for example, clusters of EiP windmachines linked by EiP spontaneous networking bounce power from excessinertia between machines. Over a wide geographical area, storage timethrough oscillation expands, providing the foundation for 100% localrenewable power.

2.2 Magnetics Design

Compromises in generator magnetics design are required by direct drivewind machines to overcome the following limitations to efficiency. Forexample, slow rotor speed means more magnetic poles, so the generatorradius must be larger. Stator cores must be near the poles; magneticattraction acting on a large radius creates excessive cogging force,forcing higher start up wind speed. Stator windings and monolithic coremust encapsulate the rotor circumference, which produces an excessivelyheavy machine. Long stator windings generate harmonics from magneticrotor leakage flux. Massive electromagnetic torque acting on a largeradius can destroy a central shaft.

EiP magnetics design conquers these limitations without reducingefficiency. Cores are segmented and arranged to form discrete permanentmagnet synchronous machines. The arrangement of cores vs. magnetsreduces the cogging force. Segmented cores exhibit less heat loss fromeddy currents at higher frequency than a monolithic core. Synchronouspower is clean, producing pure sinewave output. In some embodiments, forexample, an exemplary EiP modular design specifies a three-phasemagnetics architecture with integrated electronics that isolates andconcentrates stray rotor flux. Magnetic flux rotates between coreelements using a linear design requiring no driveshaft or gearbox.

2.2.1 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Power

A synchronous generator produces sine wave AC power, of increasingvoltage with rotor speed (n). The frequency (f) increases as well; howquickly depends on the number of magnetic poles (p), as shown in thefollowing Equation 2-1: Synchronous Power Frequency and Magnetic Poles:f=pn/60  (Eq. 2-1)

In the exemplary EiP machine, pairs of magnets are embedded withalternating polarity, to form one generator “pole pair”. Using the aboveformula on the exemplary EiP wind machine rotor, e.g., with 160 magnetsforming 80 pole pairs, spinning at one revolution per second (60 RPM),produces AC power at 80 Hz (three quarters rotor speed=60 Hz). At 1.5revolutions per second, the nominal operating frequency is 120 Hz. Sinceeach stator interacts with two pole pairs, four magnets pass between inone cycle, doubling the frequency of the induced voltage. While themechanical angle between stators and magnets is 30 degrees, theelectrical angle is 60 degrees. This is an advantageous design choice,which doubles the electrical excitation of the stators at slow rotorspeed.

The exemplary EiP magnetics design partitions a massive steel core intoisolated silicon steel cores, with thin laminations to reduce eddycurrent loss, organized as modular three-phase machines around therotor. The synchronous design guarantees production of smooth pure sinewaves (non-trapezoidal) in proper phase by concentrating all magneticflux, axial, transverse, and leakage, toward the fundamental generatorfrequency, for low losses. Electronic rectifiers isolate stator windingsthat share a common DC link. Distributed core elements with integratedrectifier, and modular three-phase format, present a new magneticdesign, e.g., for maximum power with highest efficiency, at the finestlevel of control possible. Modules can be combined to match the EiP windmachine configuration.

2.2.2 EiP Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Machine (PMLSM)

When rotary four-pole three-phase stators and magnets are laid outinline, the EiP permanent magnet linear synchronous machine (PMLSM) isdefined. Relative size and placement of magnets and stator coresminimize cogging torque and enforce three-phase operation between anythree adjacent stator pairs, drawing excitation from rotating magneticfields of eight magnets passing between. In the rotary and linearmodels, a thirty-degree mechanical relationship between inductor corefaces and pole pairs produces an electrical angle between phases ofsixty degrees. Wye connection between the stators provides one hundredtwenty degree three phase operation.

FIG. 2A shows the relationships between magnets and stationary inductors(stators) depicting the magnetic vs. mechanical cycle of a three-phasegrouping. The diagram of FIG. 2A shows how the physical layout of thisexemplary embodiment translates to dynamic three-phase operations. Theupper half of the diagram shows the top layer of stators opened up likebook pages to indicate the pattern of magnetic poles to stator legs. Thelower half shows the view at the rotor edge. The physical placement ofstators vs. magnets is compact, with a narrow mechanical angle. Theelectrical angle fits the three-phase model, twice the mechanical anglebecause magnetic poles are built from oppositely polarized pairs ofmagnets. Excitation from rotating magnetic fields with respect to statorcores is twice the electrical angle, for full three-phase wye operation.

For example, each EiP PMLSM is like a linear positioner optimized forpower production, with 3 stators forming the “mover”, and four magneticpoles embedded in slots around the rotor circumference acting as the“track”. Permanent magnets are equal in width and thickness, inalternating axial polarity, separated by magnet width. Stators polefaces match the footprint of two magnets, on “C” cores made from 3%silicon steel laminations. Two C cores on opposite sides of the rotor,with equal windings on each leg, wired in series above and below therotor magnets, form one stator. A given rotor circumference supports acertain number of stators and magnets equally spaced around the rotor,partitioned into three-phase groups. Magnet size defines statordimensions, and the total number that fit around the magnetic track. Theratio of four magnetic poles to three inductor cores, evenly spaced,minimizes cogging (torque ripple), where magnetic pull on oneinductor/pole pair is balanced by three magnet pairs pulling on twoinductor cores.

2.2.3 EiP Synchronous Generator Magnetic Circuit

The exemplary EiP magnetic circuit uses C cores to concentrate magneticfields from rotor flux to synchronous AC power. Rotor harmonicsreinforce the fundamental frequency, for optimum efficiency. The C coresare basically a split transformer core, with an extended gap toaccommodate the magnetic rotor in between.

FIG. 2B shows a diagram of an exemplary EiP synchronous generatormagnetic circuit of the present technology, as viewed from the side. Inthe figure, magnetic lines of flux from permanent magnets follow thepath of least resistance from north (N) to south (S). Axial flux isconducted by magnetic steel, strengthening as core faces line up,eventually to saturation. Embedded rotor magnets of opposite axialpolarity, separated by a distance equal to width and thickness, providea secondary magnetic circuit for leakage flux. In combination with therelative motion of C cores, this secondary circuit concentrates rotorleakage magnetic fields toward synchronous power.

At minimum gap, e.g., where core faces line up with magnets, maximumflux density saturates upper and lower core halves through four coils,wired in series for maximum voltage at leads L1 and L2. L1 connects toone leg of the three-phase wye (U, V, or W), L2 is the common connection(C). Each coil is wound with an identical number of insulated motor wireturns, of gauge and length appropriate for a given winding area. Voltagedrops to zero as the core lines up with space between magnets, then fullnegative as cores align with magnets of opposite polarity, producing oneAC cycle.

In this exemplary design, the C core saturates easily in directproximity with a magnetic pole pair, flipping rapidly with rotor motion.This means a narrow magnetic gap is not required for full voltage, whichallows for looser mechanical constraints on rotor motion. This enhancesthe fault tolerance of the EiP wind machine, and reduces manufacturingcosts.

2.2.4 Trapping and Concentrating Stray Rotor Flux

Peak axial flux linkage occurs at the moment of core saturation.Magnetic attraction between adjacent magnets produces a weaker magneticfield in both radial directions that traps radial flux at the rotoredge. Once the rotor is moving, leakage from fringing flux around thegap is swept up in this magnetic field by the C cores passing by, inphase with axial flux. Track curvature also creates a slight amount oftransverse flux. C core laminations of different length orientedperpendicular to the movement of magnets, concentrates this relativelysmall amount of transverse flux. All leakage flux components, radial,fringing, and transverse, combine in sync with axial flux on everycycle, eliminating rotor harmonics at the magnetic circuit level.Magnetic fields synchronous with magnet poles rotate with respect tostator cores. Each C core in the stator pair concentrates flux andcompletes the magnetic circuit with respect to magnet pairs, producingpure three-phase sinewave AC with no harmonics.

Unlike other large PM machines with distributed windings, stray rotormagnetic fields and harmonics are not an issue when PMLSMs are combinedbecause they connect electronically. All rotor flux is concentrated atthe PMLSM level, allowing the construction of a very large PM generatorby adding modules, unlimited in efficiency by induction of straymagnetic fields.

When motoring, switchmode electronic inverting produces a waveform thatis not purely sinusoidal. However, the aluminum rotor that holds themagnets is conductive, and a low-current non-sinusoidal potential existsbetween wind rotor and stator, which increases with speed. A contact isrequired that dynamically connects the entire windzone (rotor and fins)during all operations. The exemplary EiP wind machine uses conductivesupport roller bearings to create an electrical connection between windrotor and base. This allows all non-sinusoidal motoring currents tofollow the common ground path away from DC power output.

2.2.5 Three-Phase Magnetic Circuit

FIG. 2C shows a diagram of an exemplary PMLSM three-phase magneticcircuit of the present technology. The diagram of FIG. 2C shows howthree adjacent stators connect as a wye to form one PMLSM, and how theyline up with axial rotor flux. The lower leg of each magnetic circuit isconnected to a common point (C). Each upper leg of the wye (U, V, andW), attaches to EiP oscillator electronics (e.g., also refer to Section4 for schematics).

2.3 EiP Wind Machine Sizing and Expansion

EiP technology is naturally scalable to produce a very large interiorpermanent magnet generator. Self-similarity in structure at the modular,machine, and networked machine levels, supports a fractal pathway toexpansion. This section describes some exemplary design rules for EiPwind machine components, where a finite number of parts are replicatedin certain patterns for expansion of EiP wind machine size and power. Akey aspect of EiP technology is cost minimizing by simplification:producing more power from a small set of parts, replicated in specificways to build the EiP wind machine. The most dramatic increase in powercan occur when the radius is expanded. So, the EiP wind machine can beconfigured to be typically wide and of low profile, which is ideal forrooftop installation.

2.3.1 Modular Power Expansion

Each PMLSM is a modular linear three-phase machine with integrated powerelectronics. If one PMLSM is capable of producing one kilowatt of power,the EiP wind machine configurations can be created for three, four,five, six, eight, ten, twelve, and twenty kilowatts, e.g., up to sixtypairs of inductors as shown in FIG. 2D. FIG. 2D shows a diagramdepicting exemplary PMLSM modular combinations for an example EiPmachine radius. The example combinations shown in FIG. 2D include, butare not limited to, three, four, five, six, eight, ten, twelve, ortwenty PMLSMs in an EiP wind machine.

In addition to electrical power expansion, another advantage of addingPMLSMs is enhanced instantaneous torque thrust, which acts upon therotor radius for mechanical power expansion. The power of each module ismultiplied by the radius, then added to the total. For example, asradius expands, the circumference enlarges to fit more modules, eachmultiplying its power by a larger number. The massive amount of peakpower potential easily accommodates the strongest wind gusts. Section 4of this patent document provides more information on modularconfigurations and electronics.

2.3.2 Magnet and C Core Sizing

The selection of magnet dimensions affects the size of EM components,which determines electrical power for one PMLSM. The rotor radiusaffects the number of magnetic poles for a given size of magnet. A rotorcontains a certain number of magnets and layout, for example, for whichEiP technology specifies the following example design rules.

1. Eight magnets per three C cores, above and below.

2. C core faces match the footprint of one magnet pair.

3. The minimum length of core legs is three times the space between.

4. The space between magnets around the rotor circumference equalsmagnet width.

5. Minimum magnet length is three times the width.

6. Magnet thickness equals width (and thickness of the magnetic rotorplate).

7. Magnets are polarized through their thickness, arranged in oppositeaxial pairs.

For example, the exemplary EiP wind machine can include a magnetic trackbuilt using 160 NdFeB magnets. The magnet size is 2 inches longpolarized through ½ inch thickness, embedded around the rotor separatedby ½ inch. C core faces are 2 by ½ inch, with ½ inch between 1½ inchlegs. The arrangement of magnets results in a rotor diameter of 55inches, supporting enough inductors for 20 three-phase PMLSMs. Section 3of this patent document provides more information on the magnetic rotorphysical characteristics.

For example, both magnets and C cores are commodity items, chosen forlower cost rather than optimal motor magnetics. The EiP magnetic designcaptures and concentrates leakage and fringing flux that results fromusing low cost magnetics, with optimum efficiency.

2.3.3 Inductor Core Windings and Fill Factor

The number of stator core windings can be determined by the absoluteamount of insulated copper wire that can be fit around C-core legs. Forexample, using mean length of turns (MLT) method for a given wire type,total inductance (and power) is determined by number of windings, thelength of each defined by core dimensions. Long wire length at a certainthickness offers higher DC resistance, which impedes magneto-motiveforce. To reduce these effects, a larger gauge wire must be chosen.Since the winding area is finite, the optimum number of windings dependson the fill factor: the relative amount of bare copper in the windingwindow divided by the window cross-sectional area.

In such implementations, for example, a fundamental design rule is toexpose the maximum amount of bare copper at any given instant to rotormagnetic fields. Each gauge and type of insulated motor wire offers acertain fill factor for a given core size. Using the cross-sectionalarea of the wire and insulation from its data sheet, divided into theavailable winding window area reveals how may half turns. Multiply theamount of bare copper in the wire cross-section by this number, anddivide that by the window area, for the fill factor. Calculating for arange of wire types and gauge, compare all the combinations and selectthe highest fill factor with the lowest DC resistance, and the maximumcorresponding number of turns. This guarantees maximum performance fromthe coil, for a certain size C core. FIG. 2E shows a shows a diagram ofexemplary C core and fill factor, illustrating a cross section of C corelaminations and one coil, and the winding cross-sectional area:

For some exemplary embodiments of the EiP wind machine using 16-gaugewire, the fill factor is 0.66 (⅔) for a total number of windings of 96per C core leg. If 14-gauge square wire is used, the fill factor is 0.85with 60 turns per leg. The one with the highest fill factor and lowestDC resistance (DCR), which exposes the maximum amount of copper to rotormagnetic fields, is best for generating. However, the one with thehighest number of windings and lowest fill factor is best for motoring.Since EiP technology involves motoring and generating, the optimumformula for a given core size may be found through testing of the twobest designs. The following table shows the various combinations of wiresize that fit the exemplary C core legs, along with corresponding wireturns, fill factor, and total DCR.

TABLE 2-1 Wire Size and Fill Factor Combinations Wire Gauge # Turns Filland Type per Leg Factor DCR #10 25 .70 .0294 Ω #12 Square 32 .72 .0560 Ω#12 32 .56 .0672 Ω #14 Square * 60 .85 .150 Ω #14 60 .66 .166 Ω #16 **96 .66 .404 Ω #18 148 .65 1.02 Ω #20 *** 205 .62 2.6 Ω * Lowest DCR withhighest fill factor. ** Highest winding number with lowest DCR. ***Maximum windings for best MMF using this example core size

2.3.4 Radial Expansion

EiP wind machine optimizes the magnet and winding formula for one C coresize, for a modular structure that can be replicated for a larger radiusof magnetic rotor. The rotor is geometrically resized for more power, atcertain increments that fit installed modules and wind swept area. Formuch larger wind rotors, or other applications, like an embedded motorvehicle wheel motor, or a powered propeller for a ship, the optimalmagnet/inductor size may differ. Increasing the size of magnets andcores with machine radius is one way to increase electromagnetic power.But, losses from eddy currents in larger inductors present an upperlimit to inductor size. Balancing all factors produces a set ofcomponents for a PMLSM with optimum power output. Smaller PMLSMs arereplicated for radial expansion providing the most dramatic increase intotal power. Once a PMLSM size has been chosen, simply using a longermagnetic track that fits more PMLSMs (e.g., minimum 4 means adding 32magnets), expands the size and power of an EiP machine. This techniqueallows the creation of very large radius rotors. For the exemplary EiPwind machine shown in the exemplary figures, every integer multiple of32 magnets expands the rotor radius by approximately five inches,accommodating four additional PMLSMs. The pole pitch remains constantfor each configuration. Using this technique, EM torque matchesmechanical torque as the radius expands, along with more magnetic polesto maintain synchronous operation at slower speed. FIG. 2F shows adiagram of exemplary magnetic rotor expansion using identical magnetsand pole pitch, illustrating magnetic rotor expansion, for additional 32magnets of the exemplary size.

2.3.5 Windzone Expansion

The wind swept area of the EiP windzone is a cylinder, of wind rotorradius and height. Increasing the radius provides the greater expansionof wind uptake and power generation vs. height increase, because thesurface area of a cylinder expands exponentially with radius, andlinearly with height. A larger radius windzone allows more room forelectrical generation hardware, to balance the increase in mechanicaltorque. So, EiP wind machines tend to be wider than tall as sizeincreases, which gives greater stability in turbulent winds.

Some primary design rules can include the following: (1) support an evennumber of stationary fins on the outside, deflecting wind from alldirections toward an odd number (slightly less than half) of wind bladeson the rotor, (2) the radius is divided in thirds, ⅓rd stationary, ⅓rdrotating, ⅓rd hollow center. These relationships are maintained as therotor radius expands, while the total number of blades increases. Forexample, even/odd stationary vs. rotating parts of the windzone iscritical to prevent locking of the wind rotor in anisotropic flows. Forexample, the exemplary EiP wind machine has 16 stationary fins, and 9rotor blades, with a 2 ft. wind rotor radius. This also enhances theuptake of energy from gusty and turbulent wind, by presenting a physicalimbalance to chaotic conditions, which naturally creates smooth andsteady rotor movement. For complete information about the windzone,including mechanical and aerodynamic operation, refer to Section 3. FIG.2G shows a top view diagram of the exemplary windzone blade (e.g., windrotor blade 117), fin (e.g., stationary fin 119), and center (e.g., thehollow center region 111), and an example of an average path of internalwindflow in the EiP wind machine 100. As shown through the diagram ofFIG. 2G, the proportional relationship between windblades, fins, andhollow center, which is maintained as the radius expands.

2.4 EiP Oscillation

The EiP oscillation is self-sustaining, representing all of combinedelectrical and kinetic energy in an EiP machine, where rotor speed andDC link voltage periodically rise and fall to maintain power balance. Asrotor speed increases, either from reduced load or high wind, totalenergy potential increases. As the rotor decelerates under load, it ishyper-sensitized to sudden changes in wind speed that bolster energyuptake. When total energy is greater than load, rotor speed moves up anddown under EiP oscillation, at fixed DC link voltage. EiP oscillationalso applies to spontaneous networks of EiP wind machines, when storingand sharing power on the grid.

2.4.1 Van Der Pol Model

The EiP oscillation follows the Van Der Pol Model, where a parasiticoscillation draws in energy from the system in which it occurs. The VanDer Pol model is characterized by the following differential equation,Equation 2-2 which represents the Van Der Pol Differential Equation:x″+x=ε(1−x ²)x′ for ε>0  (Eq. 2-2)

This equation produces one periodic solution: a relaxation oscillationwith a stable limit cycle. In EiP technology, x represents a continuousfunction for EiP machine power, and ε corresponds to the period ofoscillation. The period is locked to harmonics of rotor speed: at a deadstop, x equals zero and E is infinite. As rotor speed increases, xincreases while ε decreases (but always >>one). When the non-linear termε(1−x²) x′ reaches the singularity where the periodic solution to theequation is found (for a given ε), an oscillation with a stable limitcycle occurs. The limit cycle is attracting toward the singularity, inthis case drawing energy from the system in which it occurs. At rotoroperating speeds (larger ε) the single periodic solution to the Van DerPol equation describes a relaxation oscillation that quickly jumps froma smooth curve to another and back again, as depicted in the followingfigure:

FIG. 2H shows a graphical diagram of exemplary Van Der Pol Oscillation.The figure shows the attractor for oscillation limit cycle, where thedot 280 follows the wide arrows 281 from the smooth curved part to thepeak then quickly across to the start of a new half cycle. The thinarrows 282 indicate the proportions of energy drawn from the system inwhich the oscillation occurs.

2.4.2 Relaxation Oscillation Period

The Van Der Pol oscillation period T can be broken down into two parts:smooth and quick, as shown in the following equation, Equation 2-3 whichrepresents the Van Der Pol Oscillation Period:T=(3−2 log 2)ε+η(ε^(−1/3))Smooth+Quick  (Eq. 2-3)

In EiP technology, for example, the smooth part represents energy fromwind and inertia, while the quick part represents power injected tomaintain rotor speed. The period is locked to a harmonic of rotormagnetic transition speed. Since total energy is a function of time, therelative amount of injected power required is very small within a singlecycle (e.g., linear log function vs. negative cubic exponentialfunction). EiP technology maintains this relationship over the fullrange of rotor speeds (e.g., smaller ε), where a greater portion of theoscillation period is powered by inertia as rotation speed increases.

2.4.3 Negative Resistance Oscillator

For example, the Van Der Pol model was developed by observing theoscillations from an electronic circuit for the negative resistanceoscillator, as shown in the FIG. 2I. FIG. 2I shows a graph and a circuitdiagram of an exemplary negative resistance oscillator of the presenttechnology. This circuit oscillates at a specific frequency based on Land C. At this frequency, the oscillation is self-sustaining andattracting. In the negative resistance oscillator, E₀ from the tunneldiode is drawn along with I₀ from the battery supply to power theoscillation. The capacitor and inductor store enough energy to power thequick part of the oscillation period.

2.4.4 EiP Oscillator

The minimum amount of circuitry required for an EiP oscillator may bemore complex, for example. FIG. 2J shows a diagram of an exemplaryminimal EiP oscillator of the present technology.

Generating and motoring stator modules, operating around the magnetictrack as three-phase PMLSMs, are combined in a certain configuration tocreate an EiP oscillator circuit. A minimum of two PMLSMs are configuredin series with rectifiers on the DC link as a voltage source for avoltage sourced converter (VSC) in a motoring PMLSM, forcing the DC linkcapacitor to a voltage that is always higher than required by themotoring VSC when the rotor is spinning Rotor speed is reduced by loadson the DC link, offset by motoring to control speed and inertia. The EiPoscillation sustains the DC link, with net zero torque, along with asubstantial amount of kinetic energy from accumulated rotor inertia asspeed increases. Change in rotor speed represents energy potential equalto the electrical load offset by wind uptake. During EiP oscillation,periodic fluctuation in rotor speed at constant DC link voltage powersall connected loads along with the oscillation, drawing in energy frominertia, in a similar way to the Van Der Pol model. EiP oscillationcontinues indefinitely until rotor speed drops below a certainthreshold. Section 4 of this patent document provides more informationon the EiP oscillator and VSC architecture.

2.5 EiP Operating Modes

EiP technology includes three operating modes: coasting, motoring, orgenerating. Diode rectifier bridges attached to each stator produce a DCvoltage that increases with rotor speed: with no load attached, the“coasting” operating mode. Parallel transistor switches control therectifier as a VSC, to produce positive torque that speeds up the rotor:“motoring” mode. Negative electromagnetic torque from electrical loadingslows the rotor: “generating” mode. A fourth operating mode is definedwhen parallel PMLSMs are motoring and generating: “oscillating” mode.EiP technology includes these operating modes to provide software afeedback mechanism for networking and fine-tuning of the system, assummarized in the following table.

TABLE 2-2 EiP PMLSM of Exemplary Operating Modes Mode DefinitionIndication 0 Coasting Voltage rises with rotor speed until motoring orgenerating. 1 Motoring High instantaneous torque power for startup andspeed regulation. 2 Generating Power production when electrical loadsproduce negative torque. 3 Oscillating One PMLSM motoring while two ormore are generating, creating the conditions for EiP oscillation.

2.5.1 EiP Mode Control

Each motoring PMLSM operates from a set of parameters, some for control,others for status. A central controller device globally initializesmotor parameters on startup, then monitors status parameters todetermine the operating mode. Running autonomously, and in parallel,PMLSM electronic control happens much faster than wind speed and loadchanges, so there is ample time to monitor operating modes and fine-tuneparameters. Under heavy loading and higher rotor speed, for example, allPMLSMs are in generator mode, and slow the rotor. Under reduced load andabsence of wind, for example, one PMLSM may switch to motoring to keepup rotor speed while another is generating. When an individual PMLSMcontroller encounters an exception to parameter settings, like rotoroverspeed with no load, it will coast until normal limits are restored.

At a certain point, the balance of power lets EiP oscillation takecontrol. The random interactions of all installed PMLSMs allow the EiPoscillation to naturally arise from chaotic and turbulent operatingconditions, like any non-linear phenomenon. Once oscillating, the EiPmachine has greater power potential, backed by the natural behaviors ofparasitic oscillation described above.

To configure the EiP wind machine for greater power uptake, for example,more PMLSMs are dedicated to motoring. For installations with greaterwind availability, only one PMLSM is used for motoring, while all othersare dedicated to generating.

All motoring PMLSMs in an EiP wind machine can share a common networkhardware connection, like RS485, for parameter configuration andmonitoring. Remote monitoring software receives packets of data, withthe operating mode as header along with other real-time information,e.g., voltage, current, temperature, etc. Over time, the configurationis fine tuned to obtain maximum energy from the installed location,using EiP operating mode packets.

2.5.2 Networked EiP Wind Machine Operating Modes

In an EiP wind machine spontaneous network, operating mode/statuspackets provide a way to synch up with other machines on a common gridsegment. The EiP operating mode has a fractal quality, withself-similarity at the module, machine, and network levels. On thenetwork, EiP modes indicate the following:

-   -   Mode 0—Coasting, or offline.    -   Mode 1—Motoring, accepting incoming grid power.    -   Mode 2—Generating, providing power for the grid.    -   Mode 3—Oscillating, indicating surplus stored power.

For more information refer to the “System Architecture” and“Programming” sections.

2.5.3 PMLSM Motor Parameters

Each PMLSM can be controlled like a rotary three-phase machine in afactory environment. For example, manufacturers of three-phase drivesdefine a set of parameters for fine-tuning of machine operations. Thefirst three parameters are determined from the size of inductors, withvalues calculated using coil formulas or by direct measurement. Themotor nameplate frequency represents the nominal synchronous AC inputfrequency. PM pole pitch is the distance between pole pairs in themagnetic track. The motor force constant and PM flux linkage arecalculated using the equations in the “Power Calculations” section(section 2.6) at the end of this section.

TABLE 2-3 Motor Parameters Symbol Units Parameter Values R Ohm (Ω) Phaseresistance 3.352 L_(d) MilliHenry (mH) d-axis inductance L_(q) mH q-axisinductance F Hz Motor Nameplate 60 Hz Frequency V AC Volts Rated Voltage200 VAC τ Meter (m) PM pole pitch K No units Motor force constant ψ_(PM)Weber (Wb) PM flux linkage

Energy Balance Through Simple Speed and Voltage Regulation

Once up and spinning, the DC link voltage reaches a level whereautonomous voltage and speed regulation in the motoring PMLSM takeshold. Rotor speed is regulated by the PMLSM, using forward and reversemotoring operations. Electrical loading of the DC link and wind uptakeoccurs at random moments, while motoring torque regulates rotor speed,to maintain the DC link voltage, as shown in FIG. 2K. FIG. 2K shows adiagram of essential EiP energy imbalance.

EiP technology actively manages the differential imbalance between windenergy uptake, excess inertia, and electrical load, through quick PMLSMmotoring operations in response to changes in load and wind energy. Asrotor speed increases from wind energy uptake and/or forward motoring,excess energy from “overhauling” builds up to a point where greaterloading is required to lower the DC link voltage. In absence of load,PMLSM motoring maintains rotor speed (and inertia) while lowering the DClink voltage. Electrical loading on the DC link drops the voltage anddecreases rotor speed, while nominal inertia tends to keep the rotor atspeed. PMLSM regulation operations provide instant thrust force in bothdirections, managing rotor movement to keep the DC link at a constantlevel while delivering power to loads. When inertia plus wind energy isgreater than electrical loading, DC link voltage can no longer bemaintained, and the essential imbalance becomes chaotic, allowing theEiP oscillation to naturally manifest as periodic rotor speed and/or DClink voltage fluctuations through PMLSM motoring operations powered byoverhaul.

Section 4: Exemplary Electronic Hardware Specification provides moreinformation on the principles of operation for EiP electronics toregulate power and rotor speed.

2.6 Power Calculations

EiP technology generates power from rotational inertia; the entireweight of the rotor, plus wind force, is the energy source. Thissubsection provides equations for determining total power of an EiP windmachine: from inertial, electromagnetic, and wind sources.

2.6.1 Rotational Inertia

The EiP machine magnetic rotor is a flywheel where the stored energyequals the sum of kinetic energy of individual mass elements, which canbe calculated using the following equation, Equation 2-4 (Magnetic RotorKinetic Energy Equation):KE _(R)=½I _(R)ω²  (Eq. 2-4)

where:

IR=Magnetic rotor moment of inertia, which is the ability to resistchanges in rotational velocity, in this case, to maintain rotor speedunder sudden changes in electrical loading.

ω=Rotational velocity (rpm) of the rotor.

The magnetic rotor element is basically a hollow cylinder of uniformdensity with thick walls, for which the moment of inertia can becalculated using the following equation, Equation 2-5 (Magnetic RotorMoment of Inertia Equation):I _(R)=½m(r ₁ ² +r ₁ ²)  (Eq. 2-5)

where:

m=Rotor mass in Kg

r₁=Inner rotor radius

r₂=Outer rotor radius

However, the magnetic rotor element is actually formed in three layers,one of which is of different density. For a precise determination of themoment of inertia from the density of materials, use the followingequation, Equation 2-6 (Magnetic Rotor Layer Moment of InertiaEquation):I _(L)=½πρh(r ₂ ⁴ −r ₁ ⁴)  (Eq. 2-6)

where:

ρ=Rotor layer material density in Kg/m³

h=Rotor layer thickness in meters

The entire rotor inertia is the sum of the inertias for each layer, plusinstantaneous wind force. Note that as the radius increases, inertiaexponentially increases. Traditional flywheels for energy storage andproduction operate using a small radius with low moment of inertia thatspins at extreme speeds. Unlike high-speed flywheels, the EiP machineleverages a large radius and high moment of inertia, which operates onlyat slow speed. In both cases, total energy storage increases with thesquare of angular velocity. In the EiP flywheel, high inertia means thateven though it spins slowly, peak power output is naturally enhancedalthough storage time is less. EiP technology leverages instant powerfrom high inertia for increased total energy storage through electronicoscillation.

2.6.2 Inertial Power in EiP Oscillation

Power from inertia builds up as rotor speed increases. The speed changerepresents a certain amount of power, as shown in the followingequation, Equation 2-7 (Total Inertial Power Equation):W=I _(R)(Δrpm 2π/60)²  (Eq. 2-7)

where:

W=Power in Watt-seconds

I_(R)=Rotor inertia in Kgm²

Δrpm=change in angular velocity, as the rotor slows down under load orincreases with wind energy uptake.

The power recovered from inertia is equal to the downward change inrotor speed under electrical load. If the rotor is allowed to slow allthe way down, the total power capacity in the rotor is recovered. In theEiP wind machine, the speed is allowed to oscillate up and down,constantly storing and withdrawing inertial power to maintain DC linkvoltage. As winds and electrical loads fluctuate wildly, the rotorslowly speeds up and slows down at a frequency determined by parametersettings for each installed PMLSM. The EiP oscillation amplitude (peakpower) corresponds to twice Δrpm, representing the power in bothdirections.

2.6.3 Energy Stored in Magnetic Fields

Electromagnetic power in the EiP machine comes from rotor magneticfields, concentrated by C cores through an air gap, which abruptly passthrough copper windings, freeing electrons and inducing current in thecoil. As the speed of flux transitions increases, the greater thecurrent density. From the permanent magnets embedded in the rotor, thelines of flux do not weaken over time because of the large amount energythat creates them, as shown by the following equation, Equation 2-8(Magnetic Field Power Equation):W _(V) =B ²/2μ  (Eq. 2-8)

where:

W_(v)=Power stored in magnetic flux

μ=Permeability of the magnetic gap and C core

B=Flux density of one rotor magnet

For example, for each rotor magnet, the flux density of NdFeB and highpermeability C core produce high energy magnetic fields. Multiplied bythe number of magnets in the rotor, total flux reveals a tremendousamount of energy potential, which explains why motoring PMLSMs produce alarge electromagnetic torque response from a relatively small input.

2.6.4 Electromagnetic Power and Torque

The mathematical model of each PMLSM is based on equations describingstator voltage, flux linkage, power, and thrust force (torque). EachPMLSM is treated like a rotating four-pole three-phase synchronousmachine. The electromagnetic torque and flux linkage of each PMLSM addsup for total power. The model follows the direct-quadrature (d-q) axisconvention, using rotor magnetic fields as the rotating frame ofreference. When using the d-q frame, the model becomes much simpler, andstandard DTC techniques for a rotating machine work perfectly with thelinear implementation. Essentially the d-q frame represents theconversion of three phases to two, using only simple equations for fluxlinkage vs. magnetic frequency.

2.6.4.1 Stator Voltage Calculations

Total power from an EiP machine is the sum the power for each PMLSM.Unregulated stator voltage increases with rotor speed along with totalpower, calculated using the following equations, Equation 2-9 (d-q FrameStator Voltage Equations):u _(d)(t)=Ri _(d) +dψ _(d) /dt−ωω _(q)u _(q)(t)=Ri _(q) +dω _(q) /dt−ωψ _(d)P _(in)=3/2(u _(d) i _(d) +u _(d) i _(d))  (Eq. 2-9)

where R is the wire resistance of stator windings, i_(n) is the statorcurrent vector, ω is the AC frequency, and ψ_(n) is the flux linkagevector.

2.6.4.2 Flux Linkage Calculations

Power is transferred between mechanical and electrical domains byinterlocked lines of magnetic flux from permanent magnets and copperinductors wrapped around magnetic steel. Flux linkage on d and q axes iscalculated using the following equations, Equation 2-10 (d-q frame FluxLinkage Equation):ψ_(d) =L _(d) i _(d)+ψ_(PM)ψ_(q) =L _(q) i _(q)  (Eq. 2-10)

where L_(n) is the stator inductance and ψ_(PM) is the permanent magnetflux linkage.

2.6.4.3 Electromagnetic Power and Thrust Force Calculations

EM power represents how much power the EiP machine can generate inresponse to mechanical power from the wind rotor. Thrust force is thelinear equivalent of instantaneous torque in a rotating machine. Fromthe flux linkage and stator voltage values, EM power and thrust forcecan be calculated for each PMLSM using the following equations, Equation2-11 (Three-phase Power and Thrust Equations):P _(EM)=3/2 ω[ψ_(PM)+(L _(d) −L _(q))i _(d) ]i _(q)F _(Thrust)=3/2 π/τ[ψ_(PM)+(L _(d) −L _(q))i _(d) ]i _(q)  (Eq. 2-11)

where τ is the PM pole pitch, which is the physical distance betweenpairs of axially polarized permanent magnets on the magnetic track. Inthe EiP machine PMLSMs operate in sync with each other around the rotorto form one large machine with the sum of power and thrust.

2.6.5 Wind Power Potential

Wind power potential for any wind machine is shown by the power curve,which indicates mechanical power over the range of wind speeds.Mechanical power (in Watts per square meter) is calculated using thefollowing equation, Equation 2-12 (Mechanical Wind Power):P _(M)=½ρC _(P) A U ³  (Eq. 2-12)

where ρ is the density of air at altitude and temperature (1.225 Kg/m³typical), C_(P) is the power coefficient (ratio of wind power potentialto actual power produced), A is the total wind swept area, which in theEiP wind machine equals the surface area of a cylinder of radius andheight equal to that of the wind rotor. U is the wind speed in metersper second. Mapping of P_(M) over a range of wind speeds produces thepower curve for the wind machine.

Mechanical power from a standard propeller-type wind rotor suffers underturbulent flow, not because of a lack of wind energy. Sudden wind gustshave massive power, which disrupts laminar windflow. Wind power isdegraded because it is computed as energy over time. A strong gust canalso dismember propeller blades. The EiP wind machine creates its ownlaminar flow to enhance energy uptake from sudden changes in wind speed.Also it directs windflow from all directions toward rotor motion, andthe rotor has high solidity that tolerates wind gusts. Under directcontrol, thrust force from sudden wind gusts is converted to usefulpower, and directed toward regulation of rotor speed. Rotor speedrepresents total power potential, reflecting total inertia plus windtorque. EiP technology specifies the electronic control architecture forwind rotor speed, which enhances the uptake of instantaneous wind energyfrom wind gusts, storing energy temporarily as rotational inertia formaximum power utilization. In this way the EiP wind machine uses whatwould normally be categorized as useless turbulence. Using statisticalmethods for turbulence modeling with respect to aerodynamic design, ascaling factor effectively increases C_(P) for the EiP wind machinebeyond normal limits.

EiP technology drives the wind rotor as a regulation mechanism. When therotor is spinning faster than laminar windflow, the EiP wind machineaerodynamic design leverages the Magnus effect (lift produced byrotating cylinder in free air) to improve the power coefficient. TheKutta-Joukowski theorem provides a way to quantify lift per unit lengthof the cylinder produced by the Magnus effect, as shown in the followingequation, Equation 2-13 (Lift Produced By Rotating Cylinder (MagnusEffect)):L=ρ2πωr ² V  (Eq. 2-13)

where ω is the angular velocity of rotation, r is the wind rotor radius,and V is the speed of windflow around the cylinder.

In fast winds, the EiP wind machine rotor is self-limiting. As the windspeed in the forward direction approaches the wind drag in the oppositedirection, acceleration slows to zero and the rotor stalls at a certainspeed while delivering full power.

For more information on EiP wind machine aerodynamics, refer to the nextsection.

2.6.6 Mechanical vs. Electromagnetic Torque

On all other wind machines the central shaft restricts instantaneoustorque applied to the generator; only a fraction of total torque isallowed before twisting or breaking the shaft. In the EiP wind machine,mechanical torque is unlimited by a central shaft, so the transformationto electromagnetic torque is one to one. This means that all rotortorque can be converted to electric power, where positive mechanicaltorque from wind thrust force is offset by negative electromagnetictorque from PMLSM thrust force. The following equations show the thrustforce that can be generated by the wind rotor and PMLSM (Equation 2-14.Wind vs. Three-phase Thrust Force Equations):F _(Wind Thrust)=1/2 ρA V ²  (Eq. 2-14, 1)

where:

A=wind swept area=cylinder of wind rotor radius R

V=wind speed

ρ=density of airF ³⁻phase_(Thrust)=3/2 π/τ[ψ_(PM)+(L _(d) −L _(q))i _(d) ]i _(q)  (Eq.2-14, 2)

where:

τ is the PM pole pitch

L_(n) is the stator inductance

ω_(PM) is permanent magnet flux linkage

i_(n) is the stator current

These forces, exerted on the wind rotor radius R, define the torqueexerted and directly converted to power.

3 Mechanical and Aerodynamic Specification

This section provides mechanical specifications for example EiP windmachine components, and describes a new aerodynamics design for directwindpower generation made possible by the disclosed EiP technology. Themechanical design follows these principles:

-   -   Strength, fault tolerance, and reliability, in all types of        weather and turbulence.    -   Buildable, using basic fabrication techniques and common raw        materials.    -   Modular, expandable, supporting quick field service and        upgrades.

The EiP wind machine is inspired by the ancient Persian gristmill,featuring a moving part and a stationary one, delivering wind powerdirectly to the point of use. The moving part was a heavy slow movinggrinding rotor, roughly an annulus with a central pivot, powered by aring of sails rigged around the circumference (plus oxen for backup).The stationary part was an immovable grinding surface on the ground thatmatches rotor circumference. The rotor was kept in constant motion tomaintain inertia, accepting grain and returning grist. This was an earlyexample of a vertical axis wind machine with an impulse rotor and opencenter between the sails, where wind power is converted at the radius touseful purposes.

Half of the time the rotor moves in opposition to the wind, greatlyreducing efficiency, so a wall was placed nearby to block opposingwinds: creating the “Panemone” type of wind machine. Many since ancienttimes have been created, and EiP technology creates the first Panemonesuitable for direct power generation.

The EiP wind machine generates electric power directly from wind, eventurbulent and chaotic, near where power is consumed. The sails are madeof sheet aluminum fabricated into a wind rotor. The wind rotor assemblysits atop an aluminum annulus with embedded magnets around thecircumference: the magnetic rotor. Rather than erecting a wall, the windrotor operates inside a sturdy exterior structure containing verticalfins, each oriented at equal angles with respect to the cylindrical windrotor swept surface. Instead of oxen for backup, inertia plus a littlegrid power keeps the rotor in constant motion, even when wind islacking. Rotor motion creates lift effects along each wind blade, andinertia increasing dramatically with small speed changes, conductingturbulent airflow toward the hollow center, for aerodynamic windefficiency beyond conventional limits.

This section specifies the mechanical design for some exampleembodiments by providing detailed descriptions of each part. Then,windzone aerodynamics is analyzed, followed by a brief discussion ofthermal issues. First, an overview of the mechanical design ispresented.

The descriptions and diagrams are based on the exemplary specificationsof the exemplary embodiment of the EiP wind machine shown in the figuresand described herein, e.g., which represents a minimal size of anexample EiP wind machine. EiP technology is readily expandable to muchgreater size and power.

3.1 Mechanical Overview

The exemplary EiP wind machine described in this section has twomechanical parts: one moving and one stationary.

The moving part is the wind rotor, with an odd number ofthird-cylindrical blades around a common radius sandwiched between twoannular rings, atop a magnetic rotor containing multiple oppositelypolarized magnets (e.g., NdFeB bar magnets), laid out as a magnetictrack near the outer circumference.

The stationary part is a ring containing an even number of reinforcedfins sandwiched between two annular rings, a protective structure thatsupports stators above and below the magnetic rotor, deflecting windfrom all directions toward the wind rotor, with roller bearings forsupport.

For strength, the leading edge of each fin is welded to a section ofaluminum pipe. Frame elements for inductor support rings made ofstainless steel, insert into pipe ends. The combination of steel andaluminum provides a sturdy base for the EiP wind machine, which attachesto a mounting platform on the rooftop.

FIG. 3A shows a diagram depicting an exemplary EiP wind machine device.The diagram of FIG. 3A shows the exemplary EiP machine including theelectronic inertial power generation unit 110 supported on a base (e.g.,support base 120) and multiple legs (e.g., four support legs 125). Theexemplary EiP wind machine device includes an electronic inertial powergeneration unit with rotor mass enhancement, upon which the windzone isinstalled, as depicted in the diagram of FIG. 3B.

3.2 EiP Machine Mechanical Design

In the previous section, the principles of operation for the EiP machinewas presented. This section defines the mechanical design, whichintegrates mechanical support for the rotating and stationary parts ofthe windzone with power generation. The wind rotor attaches to themagnetic rotor, while stainless steel struts and rings form a sturdyframe for inductors, magnetic rotor, and bearings, supported by thestationary part. Two large rings position stator pairs above and belowthe magnetic rotor. The center of the EiP wind machine is hollow, sincethe EiP machine has no drive shaft. The hollow center provides a clearpath for wind to exit the turbine, for high wind power efficiency. Thefault-tolerant mechanical design eliminates the centralized generatorand main bearing, insuring continued power generation in stormyconditions, where grid power is likely to fail. The following figureshows a cross section of the EiP machine.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic cross section of two exemplary EiP machines.Single-sided is the standard implementation. Another EiP machine on topdelivers twice the power, which is appropriate for locations with veryhigh winds requiring high voltage DC operation (like an offshore array).

The diagram of FIG. 3B shows exemplary components of the exemplary EiPwind machine, including: rotor blades, stationary fins, magnetic rotorannulus, support bearings (vertical and side), inductor support rings(upper and lower), and frame struts. The blades and fins represent themodular windzone, struts and bearings maintain the magnetic gap betweenthe magnetic rotor and upper/lower inductors, and provide frame elementsthat strengthen the windzone by inserting into fin pipes. Also shown areareas where rotor mass can be enhanced by adding rings of cast material(e.g., acrylic resin), with the layer between magnetic rotor annulus andwind rotor providing a large bushing for rotor clearance over themachine base.

As shown in the diagram by the example two EiP wind machine system, twolarge rings, pre-drilled with mounting hole patterns for inductors, holdinstalled stator pairs in perfect alignment above and below the magneticrotor. The upper ring bolts to the windzone and struts, the lower ringbolts to struts bolted to the windzone. The base of each ring can belaser cut from a sheet of stainless steel, with evenly spaced sites forinductors all the way round. A bent steel plate welded around thecircumference supports the ring edges. The inner edge is pre-cut withholes for roller bearings, e.g., cam followers or bracketed rollers. Forexample, struts can be laser cut from ¾″ stainless stock for addedstrength, to maintain the magnetic gap.

The exemplary EiP machine attaches to the bottom of the windzone, usingthe large aluminum structure as a heat sink and for protection. As windspeed increases, electrical power increases along with the coolingeffect of airflow. This allows the EiP wind machine to maintain highpower operation in high winds, with a linear power curve.

Additional description in this section provides mechanical details forexample parts of the exemplary EiP machine, and how they fit together.

3.2.1 Inductor and Bearing Support Ring

The lower inductor ring also supports rollers for rotor guidance.Vertical support rollers (e.g., 24 in exemplary machine) maintain thelower magnetic gap. Several rollers are conductive for grounding ofrotor harmonics. The maintenance-free urethane rollers provide quietoperation. The number of bearings is redundant so that in case offailure continued operation is possible until scheduled maintenancewhere field replacement is possible. A minimum of four additionalrollers control side-to-side movement. For example, it is noted thatonce the rotor is spinning in high winds, the viscosity of airflowbetween stationary and rotating parts takes over rotor support, whilemagnetic attraction between magnets and steel cores guides side-to-sidemotion. This eliminates vibration and wear on rollers, extending usefullife and eliminating the possibility of catastrophic failure in highwinds. FIG. 3C shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP machineinductor and bearing support ring.

3.2.2 Bearing Track Ring

On the bottom side of the magnetic rotor is a ring that providesvertical and horizontal guidance for roller bearings. Since the magneticrotor is of annular shape, it can warp when exposed to cross-quadrantmagnetic forces. So, this ring also acts as a stiffener for the rotorwith respect to magnetic steel stator core attraction. Holes for boltingthe track below and wind rotor above are provided, in a pattern thatdoes not collide with windblade ends. FIG. 3D shows a diagram depictingthe exemplary EiP machine bearing track ring, e.g., the rotor undersideview of the track ring.

3.2.3 Ring, Bearing, and Strut Details

On the windzone side of the rotor is a ring that reflects the bearingring, e.g., supporting only inductors. This ring attaches to the framestruts which attach to the windzone. In combination with the bearingring and struts, the full EiP magnetic circuit and gaps is maintained.The rings, struts, bearings and rotor are assembled as shown in thedetailed diagram below. FIG. 3E shows a schematic diagram depicting theexemplary EiP machine inductor/bearing ring and strut details. The upperportion of FIG. 3E, shown in FIG. 3E-1, shows a top down view of thering, bearing, and strut features, including example dimension sizes ofthese features for an exemplary embodiment of the EiP wind machine. Thelower portion of FIG. 3E, shown in FIG. 3E-2, shows a side view of thesupport base features and the ring and bearings features, includingexample dimension sizes of these features for an exemplary embodiment ofthe EiP wind machine. From this design, OEM roller bearings can beselected to fit the specifications shown in the following figure. FIG.3F shows a schematic diagram depicting the exemplary bearing details,e.g., containing detailed cross sections of rings and bearings andincluding dimension sizes.

3.2.4 Magnetic Rotor Assembly

In some embodiments, for example, the magnetic rotor can be configuredas a laser cut aluminum annulus of magnet thickness. Holes for magnetsare laser cut around the outer circumference. Neodymium iron boronmagnets, of alternating axial polarity, are glued in place around therotor using high peel strength epoxy. Mounted to these specifications,oppositely polarized magnets with respect to rotor thickness concentrateaxial magnetic flux above and below the rotor, while producing minimalradial flux. FIGS. 3G and 3H show a general view of the magnetic rotorfrom the underside, and a detailed view specifying the layout of magnetsand bearing track, respectively. FIG. 3G shows a diagram depicting theexemplary EiP machine magnetic rotor. FIG. 3H shows a diagram depictingthe exemplary magnetic rotor, e.g., including the layout of magnets andthe bearing track details.

As the rotor spins, for example, lines of flux rotate like a spinningmotor armature, which produces alternating current on stator coils, eachhalf above and below. Voltage increases with flux transition speed, andthe AC waveform is sinusoidal, hallmarks of a synchronous machine.Multiple stator pairs instantly derive excitation from rotating magneticfields in parallel, while thrust force is applied to the entire radiusfor maximum torque.

3.2.5 Inductor Mechanical Specification

In the exemplary embodiment described in this section, each inductor inthe EiP machine is encapsulated in epoxy, for example, to hold the Ccore in place under strong magnetic forces, and protect windings fromharsh environmental conditions. Four threaded inserts supported by “L”brackets in epoxy provide mounting hardware. The EiP magnetic circuit isdescribed in Section 2. FIG. 3I shows a diagram showing inductorspecifications for the exemplary EiP machine embodiment, and how it isconstructed.

For example, epoxy encapsulation protects the C core and windings fromharsh environmental conditions. The EiP machine frame, supportingbearings and inductors, provides drain holes and open vents allow waterto quickly enter and exit the inductor operating environment.High-density axial flux lines quickly saturate the C core when polefaces line up, so the magnetic rotor gap need not be too tight. Wiringfor the inductors passes through a hole into a sealed compartment allthe way around the outside, that contains electronics and wiring. Allelectrical connections are sealed from the elements in accordance withcodes and standards for outdoor use. An aircraft style skin coversexposed areas where guideways, bearings, and wiring connections reside.

3.3 Windzone Design

The EiP windzone is the aeromotor for the EiP wind machine, where windpower is converted to rotating mechanical energy. The windzone has astationary part (wind stator assembly) that directs the wind toward arotating part (wind rotor assembly). The windzone handles any windconditions, from high winds to light turbulence without adjustment,resulting in a wind curve that is linear, increasing with average windspeed. Exemplary embodiments of the EiP windzone are described.

The overall height and radius of the windzone defines the windswept areain the shape of the rotating wind rotor, e.g., a cylinder. Powerpotential increases linearly with rotor height and exponentially withradius. The stationary outer part of the windzone has an even number ofvertical fins of fixed pitch (45 degrees with respect to inner rotor)that create a laminar windflow pattern internally, which is perfectlysuited for the wind rotor. When viewed from the top with respect tocurrent wind direction, windflow enters the rotor area from the upperleft quadrant (Q1), crosses the center at maximum speed, and exits thelower right quadrant (Q3). In the lower left quadrant (Q2) windflow isforced to turn at a sharp angle where impulse force (positive drag) isgreatest. In the upper right quadrant (Q4), windflow opposing rotormotion is blocked, and the still air provides drag opposing rotor motionas rotor speed increases. The laminar internal windflow created bystator fins eliminates the need to place the EiP wind machine on a talltower. Fins are positioned at a forty-five degree angle relative to therotor axis, with less than two to one ratio of stator fins towindblades. The outer edge of each fin is welded to a pipe for addedstrength and enhanced aerodynamics. Fin pipes accommodate EiP machineframe elements, adding top to bottom structural support.

The wind rotor is of windzone height, with an odd number of windbladeswelded to annular base and top plates. Each blade has a symmetrical ⅓cylindrical curved profile, which produces maximum lift in parallel withwindflow in either direction. Blade width is approximately the same as astator fin. Blade pitch is −22.5 degrees below horizontal axis withrespect to the inner tangent. So, maximum lift occurs where incomingwindflow is parallel with the blade profile. As the rotor spins, varyingproportions of lift and drag from all blades add up to positive rotortorque. The blade profile enhances wind shear and wake vortex, wherewind direction undergoes a quick reversal as power is generated from it.Inflow wake vortices propagate from the interior exiting top and bottomof the hollow center, enhancing internal laminar flow. On outflow,vortices are carried away along with the exit flow. The net effect issmooth and quiet rotor motion regardless of wind speed, direction, orturbulence.

Standard three-bladed wind machines require placement on a tower, aboveobstructions that cause turbulence, where windflow is laminar andsteady. If the wind speed is too great, or suddenly changes direction,instantaneous force can knock down the wind machine and tower. So,standard wind machines must reduce power to the point of total shutdownunder high wind conditions. The wind curve (relationship between windspeed and power output) levels off in high winds. In the EiP windmachine, the windzone is designed to operate on rooftops or exposedsurfaces where wind gusts of any magnitude can occur in any direction.The windzone is sturdy enough to operate in high winds and strong guststhat would normally destroy a more delicate apparatus.

The following figures show the mechanical shapes of windzone assembliesand fin/blade details; followed by a discussion of windzoneaerodynamics.

3.3.1 Wind Rotor Assembly

FIG. 3J shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wind rotor assembly,such as the wind rotor assembly 116. The wind rotor assembly 116includes the wind rotor blades 117 (e.g., wind-deflecting blades)arranged between an upper and lower rotor base plate (or track) with ahollow center to form the hollow central cylindrical interior space. Thewind rotor can be fabricated by a welded aluminum assembly with an oddnumber of vertical blades sandwiched between two annuli, to form thestructure shown in FIG. 3J.

3.3.2 Stationary Wind Deflector Assembly (Wind Stator)

FIG. 3K shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wind stator assemblysuch as the wind stator assembly 118. The wind stator assembly 118includes the wind receiving fins 119 arranged between an upper and alower stator base plate (or track) with a hollow center to contain thewind rotor assembly 116 and the hollow center of the EiP wind machine.The wind stator assembly can be built in sections containing two statorfin blades sandwiched between top and bottom plates. The sections attachto the EiP wind machine base struts to form a sturdy exterior structure.The modular structure makes it easier to install the EiP wind machine,and if damaged by flying debris, easier to repair onsite.

3.3.3 Vertical Fin and Windblade Design

For example, the stator fin blade can be configured of a sheet ofaluminum plate with an aluminum pipe welded along the leading edge. Thepipe provides reinforcement and creates a simple airfoil with a curvedblunt face, which interacts with air viscosity to bend flow lines aroundthe curve. The windblade is bent from flat aluminum plate to a ⅓rdcylinder profile. FIG. 3L shows a diagram of exemplary vertical fins andwind blade details.

In some examples, the ⅓^(rd) cylinder windblade cross section is chosento provide both lift and impulse operations, with maximum strength andhigh rigidity in the presence of turbulence. Unlike conventionalairfoils for flight, the EiP wind machine blade design enhances the wingoutflow vortex when operating at low attack angle producing lift.

3.4 EiP Wind Machine Aerodynamics

Generally, winds near the surface of the earth, especially in an urbansetting, are turbulent and chaotic, deemed useless for power generationby conventional wind machine designers. EiP wind machine aerodynamicsemploy a high-solidity design, merged with EiP technology to create awind machine that quickly converts turbulent windflow to useful power.The mechanical design is sturdy enough to handle turbulence, and EiPtechnology is fault tolerant. EiP technology combined with a new type ofaerodynamic design makes the EiP wind machine capable of continuousoperation withstanding forces that normally cause catastrophic failure.

EiP wind machine aerodynamics promote rapid uptake of wind energy,turbulent or laminar, over a wide range of wind speed in any direction.In this way, by utilizing a wind resource normally considered spuriousor too energetic, the wind power efficiency coefficient is increased.Combined with active EiP technology, direct power production from windis taken beyond aerodynamic limits, through superfine electronic rotorspeed control, and high-speed conversion of mechanical torque toelectric power.

Integrated with EiP technology, the windzone (aeromotor) deliversunprecedented efficiency in direct wind generation, deriving power fromthe pressure difference (gradient) between free air outside and thehollow core. The pressure gradient is enhanced by rotor motion, withinternal circulation converting turbulence on the outside to laminarflow on the inside. Electrical power is extracted from differentialrotor torque, while windflow circulation is compelled by a central wakevortex back to free air above and below the EiP wind machine.

Inflow wake vortices exit the hollow center, concentrating windflow inthe center for wind blades in the outflow. A rotor blade profile inparallel with windflow (inflow and outflow) produces greatest lift. Asit rotates to perpendicular, positive drag (impulse response) isgreatest. Negative drag increases with rotor speed, occurring mostlywhere windflow is blocked and no positive torque is produced.

Since windflow is directed toward rotor motion all the way around, thewindswept area is a cylinder of rotor radius and height, not a disk.Winds striking the windzone in all directions contribute to powerproduction, and the rotor is hyper-sensitized to sudden changes in windspeed.

FIG. 3M shows a diagram depicting exemplary EiP windzone aerodynamics.EiP wind machine aerodynamics specifies a solid and heavy rotor thatresponds instantly to changes in wind speed and direction to produceuseful power. The diagram of FIG. 3M shows the drag and lift effects oneach windblade with respect to wind direction, which combine toinstantly create net positive rotor torque in four quadrants (Q1, Q2,Q3, Q4). The ratio of lift vs. drag varies as each blade rotates aroundthe center. Wind energy is directed by wind stator blades to enter andconcentrate in Q1 where wind blades generate maximum lift. As a bladeenters Q2, it produces maximum positive drag. The symmetrical profile“flips” as it enters Q3, producing maximum lift on the outflow. Windopposing rotor motion is blocked in Q4 where no net lift is produced,the still air colliding with a moving windblade generates more negativedrag as rotor speed increases. At a certain wind speed, when negativedrag equals net positive drag and lift, the rotor spins to faster thanwind speed (cruising speed). Wake vortices produced by power generationexit top and bottom of the hollow center in Q1, and in the turbulentflows surrounding the exit windflow in Q3. The rapid outflow of vorticesenhances laminar windflow internally, greatly improving efficiency.

3.4.1 Lift Plus Drag Effect

For example, greatest power from the wind rotor occurs in Q1 where liftplus positive drag effects combine, as shown in the following figure.This is why the EiP wind machine responds so rapidly to wind speedchanges (gusts).

FIG. 3N shows a diagram depicting the exemplary EiP windzone aerodynamicdetails, e.g., showing the first quadrant (Q1) of FIG. 3M. In the firstquadrant (Q1), when a rotor blade operates in parallel with incomingwindflow, it produces maximum lift. When perpendicular to windflow,maximum positive drag occurs. As the attack angle shifts when the rotormoves, lift and drag are proportional. Positive drag enhances theimpulse response to sudden changes in wind speed (gusts). When windenergy is converted to power, it undergoes a sudden change in winddirection that creates inflow wake vortices that exit the hollow centertop and bottom.

3.4.2 Central Wake Vortex

A “wake vortex” is left in the windflow downstream of all wind machines,once energy has been extracted and released to free air. The vortexslides off airfoil surfaces and rotates in the opposite direction of thewind rotor. For power production, the wake vortex must be allowed topersist in the air column downwind while energy is extracted. Mostvertical axis wind turbines must operate in their own wake vortex, whichlimits efficiency. Propeller type wind machines are more efficientbecause they exhibit a trailing wake vortex, but any turbulence causes aloss of power because the vortex is cut off in anisotropic flows.

In the EiP wind machine, all wake vortices rapidly exit top and bottom,while reinforcing internal laminar windflow. The rapid reversal of winddirection in each wake vortex energizes and concentrates wind energy inthe central core while intensifying inflow. On outflow, wake vorticesexpand and pull windflow out of the machine with great force. All ofthese effects combine to improve aeromotor efficiency, and create alinear wind power curve.

3.4.3 Rotor Speed Balance Self Regulation

The EiP wind machine rotor is a unique aerodynamic device withmechanical self-regulation in balance and speed. Since there is nocentral shaft, the rotor is essentially an annular cylinder, which isthe shape that produces more inertial than any other spinning body.Instead of fine blade tips attached to a shaft, wide wings with a highdrag coefficient “fly” around the hollow center within its stationarycontainment. Spinning no faster that wind speed (TSR 1:1), the rotormaintains balance with no central shaft rather than vibration. Theannular cylinder is a rotating body that follows the “right hand rule”,where angular momentum in the direction of the fingers (multiplied bythe radius), and a torque vector in the direction of the thumb increaseexponentially with speed. The torque vector becomes a virtual shaftaround which rotor mass instantly balances in powerful wind gusts.Combined with strong magnetic forces between rotor magnets andstationary iron core inductors, the high viscosity of windflow betweenstationary and moving parts stabilizes and cushions the rotor forsmoother and quieter operation in high winds. Passive mechanicalself-regulation is a key feature of the EiP wind machine, whereconventional wind turbines must be shut down or face certaindestruction. In these conditions, the EiP wind machine operatesnormally.

For example, at a certain speed, depending on rotor size (height andradius), the rotor can spin no faster when negative drag equals positivedrag plus lift, referred to as “cruising speed”. EiP electronic controlcontinues to extract more power from wind speeds above cruising,maintaining a linear power curve with constant rotor speed.

3.4.4 Adaptive Torque Control

Adaptive torque control has been used as a strategy for large wind farmsto generate maximum steady power from highly variable winds for easygrid integration. However, since the TSR of a propeller is much greaterthan unity, most of the time this practice consumes excess power thatreduces overall efficiency. Because of high TSR, a powered propellermerely cancels wind uptake, creating turbulence and disrupting the wakevortex. No power from turbulence is possible, because the propeller'strailing vortex is wiped out by non-laminar anisotropic flow, cuttingoff mechanical torque.

In the EiP wind machine rotor the natural 1:1 TSR allows direct torquecontrol to maintain rotor speed very quickly, to sustain the wake vortexinside the machine regardless of ambient wind conditions, allowingenergy production from gusty winds, until now considered to beimpossible. This greatly improves the wind power efficiency, linearizingthe power curve. Since power is delivered through an electronicinverter, rotor speed can fluctuate, which supports EiP oscillationbetween several EiP wind machines, where excess energy is shared throughadaptive torque control.

3.4.5 Windzone Thermodynamics

Generally, all of the semiconductors and inductors produce heat.Fortunately, for semiconductors and inductors inside the EiP windmachine, maximum heating occurs when the windflow is high. Each PMLSMmodule is attached to the windzone, which acts as a heatsink. Airflowthrough the wind machine cools these devices as they deliver power. Thisallows maximum power output from the minimum amount of copper and ironelectromagnetic components.

4 Exemplary Electronics Hardware Specification

The disclosed EiP technology is modular at the electrical machine levelby breaking down a large array of rectifier electronics into three-phasegroups, embedded in each PMLSM. Each PMLSM has an integrated three-phaserectifier module, which converts AC to a DC voltage. Stators connect ina wye configuration, with each leg electrically isolated from a sharedDC interface, post rectifier. Three or more PMLSMs can be combined asbuilding blocks to create certain configurations of EiP machine. OnePMLSM provides a Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) circuit for motoringand generating, while all others provide simple three-phase dioderectifiers for generating only. EiP oscillator circuits containing oneVSC and two or more three-phase rectifiers are stacked on the DCinterface, as building blocks for an EiP machine configured to any sizeand power.

4.1 Three Phase Diode Bridge Rectifier

The primary linear electronic circuit for a generating PMLSM is a simplesix-segment three-phase diode bridge rectifier, as shown in the exampleof FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary PMLSMdiode bridge. Diode bridges are stacked in series or parallel for acertain voltage/current configuration on the DC link. Each leg of thewye is an EiP synchronous magnetic circuit, designed to work withindustry-standard three-phase rectifier modules.

Stator AC is only allowed to flow in one direction, so when the three ACwaveforms are superimposed, it results in roughly a DC voltage thatequals peak AC voltage. A capacitor is added to the DC link bus, tofilter out ripple and add time before DC voltage drops.

4.2 Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC)

For motoring operations, an industry-standard three-phase module calleda voltage sourced converter (VSC) is required. The VSC circuit placessemiconductor valves like the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)in parallel with each diode in a three-phase rectifier, to become acontrolled rectifier/inverter. In a three-phase group, packaged forindustrial use, the circuit is commonly called a variable frequencydrive (VFD). IGBTs are controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) ofgate signals for motoring and generating operating modes, turningvariable voltage and frequency three-phase AC power into a fixed DC linkvoltage when generating, or inverting DC link power to three-phase ACpower of variable voltage and frequency for motoring. When the IGBTs areinactive, the rotor simply coasts and the circuit reverts to athree-phase rectifier. The following figure shows the VSC and PMLSMstators. FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary PMLSM VSC.

PWM-controlled IGBTs provide power factor and phase control for eachstator leg. PWMs are provided by an intelligent controller part, whichgenerates waveforms on the IGBT gates that regulate the flow of currentthrough IGBTs. Software control of the rectifier uses rotor fluxestimation techniques based on real-time analysis of stator currents bya digital signal processor. All timing and feedback is derived fromrotor flux/stator interactions, e.g., eliminating outboard speedsensors.

VSC controller electronics are powered by a separate low-voltage supply,which is easily battery-backed. When the supply is removed, all IGBTs goto a high impedance state, and the circuit becomes a simple passiverectifier. Diodes completely isolate stators in the reverse directionfrom the DC link voltage. This removes the threat of cascading breakdownif a fault occurs, where a diode becomes an open circuit if current istoo high, and the stator leg is completely cut out of the circuit.

4.2.1 Power Factor Control

PWM control of IGBT gates adjusts the power angle between reactive andresistive parts of stator interactions with the magnetic rotor,providing power factor control. The PWM controller monitors AC frequencyusing sensorless techniques, for rotor speed indication. Rotor speedcorresponds to total power potential speed regulation defines powerlimits.

4.2.2 Power Regulation Through Motoring

Wind energy uptake accelerates the rotor, which raises the DC linkvoltage. Electrical loading on the DC link decelerates the rotor andlowers DC link voltage. Each PMLSM with VSC regulates speed by forwardand reverse motoring using integrated PWM control. When rotor inertia ishigh, braking by reverse motoring (generating) causes DC link to rise.Forward motoring causes DC link to drop (by loading) while rotoraccelerates. When motoring and generating, the rotor speeds up and slowsdown while DC voltage remains constant. At maximum rotor speed, the DCvoltage is allowed to fluctuate.

4.2.3 High Frequency PWM Support

The PWM carrier frequency is thousands of times greater than generatorfrequency. In the EiP machine, for example, smaller silicon steel Ccores allow maximization of PWM frequency, for high speed and higherresolution control. If a high frequency is chosen, for example 16 KHz,switching harmonics can produce eddy current losses in large monolithiccores. Discrete core segments, built with 3% silicon steel laminates,naturally operate at higher frequencies with low losses, so PWMfrequency is maximized.

4.2.4 Off-the-Shelf Industry Standard Variable Frequency DriveCompatibility

VSC technology is fairly mature, where a variety of modular industrialVFDs are available from various manufacturers off-the-shelf, andprogrammed to fit PMLSM motor parameters. EiP technology can use thestandard VFD as the electronics hardware platform. In some embodimentsof exemplary EiP wind machine, for faster time-to-market, the machinecontains one off-the-shelf VSC for a motoring PMLSM, while all othersuse diode bridges. A grid-tie inverter connected to the DC link createsan EiP wind machine grid interface that conforms to standards.

In some embodiments of exemplary EiP wind machine, custom VSCs areintegrated into every PMLSM in the wind machine frame, with built incycloconversion for direct grid-compatible AC.

4.2.5 Electronic Mechanical Compensation

High-speed electronic control of instantaneous PMLSM thrust force allowstight control of large and loose mechanical systems. The EiP windmachine is subject to random mechanical forces from wind and magneticsthat cause undesirable vibrations. With electronic control that isstronger and faster than mechanics, precise regulation compensates forperiodic vibrations like torque ripple, maintaining smooth and quietrotor motion.

For example, torque ripple is an artifact of the EiP modular magneticdesign, where the linearization of a rotary machine lacks the mechanicalstabilization of a central shaft. A smoothing algorithm in the VSCsimulates control from the central shaft by cancelling and neutralizingtorque ripple in real-time.

4.3 EiP Oscillator Architecture

In various embodiments, the inductors in the exemplary EiP machine arethe same size, so two or more generating PMLSMs with a diode bridge mustbe connected in series for enough voltage. The resulting circuit is theEiP oscillator, where the output of two or more PMLSMs in series, driveone PMLSM with a VSC. In combination with the magnetic rotor, thiscircuit produces the EiP oscillation. This defines the primaryelectronic module for EiP machine configuration. EiP technology breaksdown a complex array of stators and electronics into EiP oscillatorconfigurations, which can be duplicated around the DC link and magneticrotor to form a synchronous generator of any size. On the grid, atstartup one PMLSM motors the rotor to minimum speed, until generatingPMLSMs create enough voltage to sustain the DC link. At this point themotoring PMLSM only maintains minimum speed then coasts and supports theDC link when wind and inertia take over. The following figure shows thevirtual circuit for an EiP oscillator, e.g., using three or five PMLSMs.

FIGS. 4C-1 and 4C-2 show schematic diagrams of exemplary three and fivePMLSM EiP oscillators. Each generating PMLSM contains rectifiers thatproduce a DC voltage equal to the peak AC voltage produced by rotormotion. The exemplary three PMLSM version shown in FIG. 4C-1 is aminimal theoretical configuration, but a higher DC link voltage isproduced when more generating PMLSMs are connected in series. Theexemplary five PMLSM version shown in FIG. 4C-2 is more appropriate tothe exemplary inductor design. Notably, it is possible to create ahigher voltage DC link by stacking more series connected PMLSMs,depending on the requirements of the VSC part of the circuit. Theflexible architecture of the disclosed EiP technology allowsconfiguration of the EiP wind machine to match the wind resource at theinstalled location.

4.3.1 EiP Oscillator Circuit Selection for EiP Machine Configurations

In some embodiments, for example, a three-PMLSM EiP oscillator is theminimal configuration. But, many more levels of generating vs. motoringPMLSMs are possible. If a greater amount of energy uptake fromelectrical sources is required, the proportion of motoring PMLSMs shouldbe greater. If wind energy production is key, the total number ofgenerators should be maximized. The exemplary EiP wind machine supportscombinations of identical of EiP oscillator(s), to populate the statorslots in combinations shown in the following figure.

FIG. 4D shows a diagram of exemplary five PMLSM modular combinations forthe exemplary EiP machine radius. The diagram of FIG. 4D shows threeexemplary combinations of five PMLSM EiP oscillators. The five PMLSMimplementation is effective, e.g., because the nominal voltage matchesthe VFD DC link. The first example shows five PMLSMs with one acting asa motoring module. The second example shows ten PMLSMs with theoppositely arranged PMLSMs (1a and 1b) for motoring, under amaster/follower drive control model. The third example shows 20 PMLSMs,with 1a as the mater and 1b, 1c, and 1d as followers. The DC link ofeach oscillator grouping can be wired in parallel or series, whichdetermines the output voltage of the EiP wind machine. The DC links canalso each drive separate inverters for separate AC services at lowervoltage.

4.3.2 Networked Control and Monitoring Interface

VSCs in the EiP wind machine can be configured to connect on the DC linkwith a local control interface for DC voltage regulation. For example,for external control, an RS-485 control network interface provides a wayto organize motoring PMLSMs in the EiP wind machine, and facilitatecontrol and status exchanges with a central controller device. In someimplementations, for example, EiP wind machines interact on the sharedlocal grid through exchanges of parameters on the network. Parameterdefinitions and protocol depend on the VSC in use.

5 System Architecture

EiP technology is fractal by design. For example, in some embodiments,at all levels, from PMLSM modules to clusters of EiP wind machines,there is self-similarity in basic structures and relationships. Forexample, each PMLSM includes four magnetic poles interacting withthree-phase stator groups on one side, and a shared DC network on theother. Groups of PMLSMs are combined as EiP oscillators in groups ofthree to five, and EiP oscillators are combined in groups operating onthe DC link with a common control interface. Clusters of EiP windmachines form spontaneous networks in groups of three or more, sharingcommon grid attachments from different locations, and a commonhigh-speed local area network connection. Groups of clusters formclusters over a wide area. The fractal expansion of modular structurespresents no limits to the size and scope of a power generating anddistribution system.

This section describes how each level of EiP technology fits into thesystem architecture for an exemplary EiP wind machine.

The system architecture can include, for example, configurations ofPMLSMs for an exemplary EiP wind machine (e.g., DC link network), thennetwork cluster structure (Spontaneous Network, power sharing), thencluster of clusters structure (network data sharing only, no local gridconnection); DC network local to EiP wind machine; EiP SpontaneousNetworking between wind machines; Synchronous Power Web betweenspontaneous networks; and/or EiP Distributed Generation Station.

5.1 PMLSM DC Link Network

A low latency network interface provides the hookup for control andmonitoring of the EiP wind machine through motoring PMLSMs. Using astandard industrial networking interface, a controller device isattached to the EiP wind machine. The controller executes a set ofcommands, for starting and stopping the machine, configuration, andruntime control. The EiP wind machine issues status in response tocommands continuously, until another command is given. The low latencycontrol path supports a simple PI controller architecture, for rotorspeed and power regulation.

Inside the EiP machine, PMLSMs that perform regulation functions aregrouped as EiP oscillator circuits to form a specific configuration onthe DC link. These groups operate on a DC network, controlled by theshared remote control and monitoring interface. The DC network voltageis supported by generating PMLSMs and regulated by motoring ones.

5.1.1 Remote Control and Monitoring

The EiP remote controller device provides a keypad and screen, for setupand monitoring. The device has a wired, wireless, or fiber opticinterface to the EiP wind machine. A port is provided to attach a laptopfor more elaborate software control functionality for EiP machines andnetwork.

For more information on EiP wind machine commands and status, refer tothe “Programming Specification” section.

5.2 EiP Spontaneous Networking

In some examples of EiP spontaneous networking, for example, a minimumof four EiP wind machines, sharing their remote control and monitoringinterfaces over a wireless connection with low latency, self-organize toform an EiP spontaneous network on the shared grid connection. Since EiPmachines use soft-switched power semiconductor technology rather thantransformers, they can link in parallel at lower voltage over shortpower lines. The combined current and inertial storage of many EiP windmachines increases local grid capacity and stability, through instantsharing of power with maximum efficiency in an EiP spontaneous network.The EiP spontaneous networking topology can include a local gridsegment: showing nodes, clusters, and 3D terrain.

5.2.1 EiP Network Nodes and Clusters

In the example, an EiP spontaneous network requires at least four EiPwind machines to form a network. Each EiP wind machine is a network“node”. Groups of four nodes form “clusters” on the network, organizedin direct association with the local terrain. Net connections aretetrahedral, with three network paths from node to node. Clusters formgroups of clusters, encompassing a wider geographical area.

5.2.2 Hardware Cache Line-Based Network Protocol

EiP network protocol operates like a hardware cache, where thestructuring of data in the bit stream controls packet switching, at thenode level. The stream is synchronous with embedded timestamp. Allparticipating nodes follow the protocol, enforced by hardware. Anynon-conforming transactions are ignored like background noise on a voicephone.

Each EiP wind machine broadcasts its current status to the network, thenlistens for others who share the same grid connection. Each EiP windmachine is calibrated to its location, through common natural referencesfrom a geographic information system (GIS), from which a uniqueidentifier on the network is created. Like any self-organizing system innature, groups of nearby EiP wind machines form a spontaneous network,from which all derive control signals for local power management. Thisad hoc power web operates without centralized addressing, providing alive picture of real-time renewable power conditions across a wide area,and instantaneous local power protection from network-wide disruptions.The power web eliminates grid lossiness, caused by transformers and longtransmission lines, backfilling the waste with renewable energy fromlocal rooftops.

The network can be configured to always operating at maximum speed anddata throughput. While idle, the network data contains a diagnostic testpattern, indicating current network status and power conditions. Oncerunning the network can be configured to be always fully loaded withreal-time data. Each node waits for the correct time slot for sendingcommands and status, overwriting existing data without disruptingothers.

5.2.3 Private Channel for Power Providers

Owners of each EiP wind machine have access to a slot for encryptedprivate transactions on the network between other machines using thesame private channel. The private channel service can be used by powercompanies that lease EiP wind machines to customers and use powercompany EiP machines for energy uptake and net metering. All EiPmachines group in a spontaneous way for maximum energy production, whileprivate monitoring and billing systems manage monetary and statisticaloperations.

5.3 EiP Synchronous Power Web

In combination with solar panels and fuel cells, for example, a rooftopwind farm using EiP wind machines can produce 100% renewable energy inany atmospheric conditions, day or night. This is accomplished by a slowbuildup of inertia, which is quickly released for brief moments asneeded to help build up inertia in other EiP wind machines in thecluster. Over time, enough inertia accumulates to power necessary loadsindefinitely, as excess inertia is shared by a “ping pong” effect.

5.3.1 Linking EiP Spontaneous Networks for Wide Area Energy Sharing

EiP spontaneous networks that share a data connection while operating onseparate grid segments link up to create a synchronous power web over alarge landscape is created. This solves the problem where the wind isblowing during off peak times, and excess energy must be stored for peaktimes, even during calm. Through each spontaneous network, EiP windmachines share excess energy in a grid segment wide EiP oscillation,which provides a vast storehouse of energy.

When EiP spontaneous networks link up to form a power web, distanttransmission lines between can be allowed to operate wildly, asdisturbances are relayed by high speed data links and compensated for inadvance. The synchronous power web acts like a power filter, stabilizer,and battery for distant power generation from random renewable sources,without the need for flexible cogeneration, for maximum wind power inthe energy mix.

5.4 Oscillations and Distributed Generation

Whenever multiple sources of electrical generation are interconnected,oscillations are commonplace. Generators speed up and slow down underchanges in load, feeding back power surges and sags on one another tocreate parasitic oscillations. As a primary design feature, for example,EiP technology converts oscillation into a resource that enhancescapture, storage, and delivery of renewable energy.

EiP machines can decouple the generator rotor angle from power delivery,allowing rotor speed to fluctuate in “transient stability”, where therotor operates at variable speed, which is allowed to oscillate,normally a catastrophic failure mode when multiple generators connectout of step. Changes in load and resource can naturally occur withoutdumping excess power. An electronic inverter delivers the powerproviding instantaneous power factor control and correction, whichdetermines how much power is actually consumed (resistive or activepower) vs. power for magnetic fields required to transmit and distributeit (reactive power).

6 Exemplary Programming Considerations

This section specifies information related to programming of EiP machinenetworks, including PMLSM parameters and EiP spontaneous network datastructure. The exemplary EiP programming environment can consider DCnetwork and parameters, spontaneous network and cache line structure,and power web cache line.

6.1 PMLSM Parameter Programming

Programming depends on manufacturer specifications; the exemplary EiPwind machine can utilize an Allen Bradley Powerflex 40 3-phase motorcontrollers.

6.2 EiP Spontaneous Networking Data Structure

EiP spontaneous networking data structure, which is applied tonetworking tools and techniques for three-phase industrial motornetworks, represents a cache line on the EiP spontaneous network thateach EiP wind machine constantly updates with current operating data.The EiP data structure (e.g., EiP Spontaneous Networking Data Structure)can include a time stamp, machine identifier, and operating mode.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this patent document can be implemented in various systems,digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, orhardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification andtheir structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.Implementations of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., oneor more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium for execution by, or tocontrol the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computerreadable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, amachine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition ofmatter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combinationof one or more of them. The term “data processing apparatus” encompassesall apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including byway of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multipleprocessors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition tohardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computerprogram in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, aprotocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or acombination of one or more of them.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatilememory, media and memory devices, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are illustrative of several embodiments of thepresent technology. Other exemplary embodiments of the presenttechnology may be presented prior to the following listed examples, orafter the following listed examples.

In one example of the present technology (example 1), a wind powergenerator for converting wind power into electricity includes a supportbase; inductor coils fixed in position over the support base in acircular array; an annulus ring track fixed to the base support andconfigured to provide a circular track around which the circular arrayof inductor coils is located; rollers placed in the circular track ofthe annulus ring track to roll in the circular track to move around theannulus ring track; an annulus ring rotor placed on the annulus ringtrack and engaged to the rollers in the circular track of the annulusring track so that the annulus ring rotor can rotate relative to the anannulus ring track by operation of rolling motion of the rollers in thecircular track without having a rotary shaft in the center of theannulus ring rotor for rotating the annulus ring rotor, the annulus ringrotor structured to include separate magnets evenly spaced from oneanother on an outer peripheral of the annulus ring rotor to move throughthe circular array of inductor coils as the annulus ring rotor rotateswith respect to the annulus ring track so that the relative motionbetween the magnets and the inductor coils causes generation of electriccurrents in the inductor coils; and a cylindrical wind rotor assemblylocated above and fixed to the annulus ring rotor to form a unifiedassembly to rotate with the annulus ring rotor relative to the annulusring track, the cylindrical wind rotor assembly structured to includewind-deflecting blades that are spaced from one another and arranged ina circle around the cylindrical wind rotor assembly to form a hollowcentral cylindrical interior space for containing a wind vortex formedfrom deflecting of the received wind by the wind-deflecting blades, toconvert received wind from any direction into a rotation of the unifiedassembly relative to the annulus ring track, thus causing conversion ofthe wind energy into the electric currents in the inductor coils.

Example 2 includes the wind power generator as in example 1, furtherincluding a cylindrical wind stator assembly fixed in position relativeto the support base and the annulus ring track, the cylindrical windstator assembly including stator wind-receiving fins arranged in acircle that is outside of and encloses the cylindrical wind rotorassembly and the stator wind-receiving fins structured to directreceived wind from any direction inwards and towards the wind-deflectingblades of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly, in which the statorwind-receiving fins and the wind-deflecting blades are structured tocollectively and efficiently convert the received wind into a rotationof the cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 3 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a pipe or rod having a curvedouter edge as a first interface of the wind power generator with thereceived wind.

Example 4 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a fin portion that is slanted inorientation with respect to a radial direction of the cylindrical windstator assembly and is configured to receive and direct wind into thewind-deflecting blades of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 5 includes the wind power generator as in example 4, in whichthe fin portion is slanted in orientation with respect to a radialdirection of the cylindrical wind stator assembly at 45 degrees.

Example 6 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a fin portion formed of a metalor metallic alloy.

Example 7 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes an aluminum fin portion.

Example 8 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whichthe stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindrical wind stator assemblyand the wind-deflecting blades of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyare configured so that a radial dimension of the cylindrical wind statorassembly, a radial dimension of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly, anda radius of the hollow central cylindrical interior space in the centerof the cylindrical wind rotor assembly are substantially the same.

Example 9 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whichthe cylindrical wind stator assembly has an outer diameter greater thana length of the cylindrical wind stator assembly along a cylindricalaxis of the cylindrical wind stator assembly.

Example 10 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in which anumber of the stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindrical wind statorassembly is greater than a number of the wind-deflecting blades of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 11 includes the wind power generator as in example 2, in whicheach wind-deflecting blade of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyincludes a curved blade portion; and the stator wind-receiving fins ofthe cylindrical wind stator assembly are slanted in orientation withrespect to respective radial directions of the cylindrical wind statorassembly to direct received wind towards a concave side of the curvedblade portion of each wind-deflecting blade.

Example 12 includes the wind power generator as in example 1, in whicheach wind-deflecting blade includes a curved blade portion to deflectthe received wind into a wind vortex inside a hollow central region ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 13 includes the wind power generator as in example 12, in whichthe curved blade portion in each wind-deflecting blade has a geometry ofa portion of a cylinder.

Example 14 includes the wind power generator as in example 12, in whichthe curved blade portion in each wind-deflecting blade includes ageometry of one third of a cylinder.

Example 15 includes the wind power generator as in example 1, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areindependent from one another to independently produce respectivecurrents caused by a relative motion of the magnets on the outerperipheral of the annulus ring rotor relative to the inductor coils ofthe circular array of inductor coils so that a failure in one inductorcoil is not disruptive to current generation in another inductor coil.

Example 16 includes the wind power generator as in example 1, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areconfigured into independent inductor modules that operate independentlyfrom one module to another, and each inductor module includes (1) threeadjacent inductor coils that are connected to one another to form a3-phase inductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacentinductor coils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectivelyproduce an AC output current from three currents respectively generatedby the three adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuitcoupled to receive the AC output current and to produce a DC outputvoltage.

Example 17 includes the wind power generator as in example 16, in whichthe rectifier circuit of an inductor module includes a three-phase diodebridge rectifier circuit formed of six diodes.

Example 18 includes the wind power generator as in example 1, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areconfigured as independent inductor modules that operate independentlyfrom one module to another, each inductor module includes (1) threeadjacent inductor coils that are connected to one another to form a3-phase inductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacentinductor coils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectivelyproduce an AC output current from three currents respectively generatedby the three adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuitcoupled to receive the AC output current and to produce a DC outputvoltage, and the inductor modules are configured as independent inductormodule groups where each inductor module group includes 3 or moreinductor modules, the inductor modules within each inductor module groupare coupled to produce an inductor module group output, and differentinductor module groups are separated and operate independently from oneto another.

Example 19 includes the wind power generator as in example 18, in whicheach inductor module group includes: a mode-switching circuit in aselected inductor module in the inductor module group and coupled to arectifier circuit of the selected inductor module to inactivate therectifier circuit to allow the selected inductor module to operate in anAC mode for producing an AC output or to activate the rectifier circuitto allow the select inductor module to operate in an DC mode forproducing an DC output, and a control circuit coupled to themode-switching circuit to control the operation the mode-switchingcircuit in switching the selected inductor module between the AC modeand the DC mode.

Example 20 includes the wind power generator as in example 19, in whicheach inductor module group further includes a sensing circuit coupled inthe selected inductor module in the inductor module group that senses arotation condition of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly based ontiming and magnitudes of currents in the inductor coils within theselected inductor module and, based on the sensed rotation condition,the control circuit is configured to control the AC mode operation ofthe selected inductor module in response to the received wind conditionto accelerate or decelerate the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotorassembly so that the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyvaries dynamically with received wind condition to maximize anefficiency in converting the received wind power into electricity.

Example 21 includes the wind power generator as in example 20, in whichthe control circuit includes a digital signal processor that isprogrammed with software to control, based on the sensed rotationcondition from the sensing circuit, the AC and DC modes of operation ofthe selected inductor module in the inductor module group.

Example 22 includes the wind power generator as in example 20, in whichthe control circuit is configured to control the inductor coils withinthe selected inductor module to cause the rotation of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly to be in a coasting mode which maintains a constantspeed of the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly at a givenreceived wind condition and produces a DC output of the wind powergenerator, a motoring mode which speeds up the rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly while reducing a DC output of the windpower generator, or a generating mode which slows down the rotation ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly while increasing the a DC output ofthe wind power generator.

Example 23 includes the wind power generator as in example 20, in whichthe control circuit is configured to control, based on the sensedrotation condition from the sensing circuit, the selected inductormodule to operate in or switch to one of the coasting mode, the motoringmode, or the generating mode to dynamically synchronize operation of thewind power generator to the received wind condition and a load conditionthat draws power from the wind power generator.

Example 24 includes the wind power generator as in example 20, in whicheach inductor coil includes a first half inductor coil part thatincludes a first magnetic core and a first conductor wire coil thatwinds around the first magnetic core and a second half inductor coilpart that includes a second magnetic core and a second conductor wirecoil that winds around the second magnetic core, and the first andsecond half inductor coil parts are positioned at opposite sides of aplane in which the magnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ringrotor rotate to position the magnets between the first and second halfinductor coil parts.

Example 25 includes the wind power generator as in example 24, in whicheach of the first and second half inductor coil parts includes a Cshaped magnetic core having two terminal ends that interface with themagnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ring rotor, and twoadjacent magnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ring rotor areplaced in opposite magnetic orientations with respect to each other.

Example 26 includes the wind power generator as in example 25, in whichthe C shaped magnetic core is configured to have the two terminal endsspaced from each other by a spacing of two adjacent magnets in the outerperipheral of the annulus ring rotor.

In one example of the present technology (example 27), a wind powergenerator for converting wind power into electricity includes a supportbase; an inductor stator assembly that is fixed to the support base andincludes inductor coils fixed in position to form a circular array, eachinductor coil including a first half inductor coil part that includes afirst magnetic core and a first conductor wire coil that winds aroundthe first magnetic core and a second half inductor coil part thatincludes a second magnetic core and a second conductor wire coil thatwinds around the second magnetic core, in which the first and secondhalf inductor coil parts are positioned adjacent to each other to form agap there between; an inductor rotor assembly that includes an annulusring and separate magnets evenly spaced from one another to form amagnet ring on an outer peripheral of the annulus ring and is configuredto position the magnets between the gaps of the circular array ofinductor coils, the inductor rotor assembly being structured to rotaterelative to the inductor stator assembly so that the relative motionbetween the magnets and the inductor coils causes generation of electriccurrents in the inductor coils; a cylindrical wind stator assembly fixedin position relative to the inductor stator assembly and includingstator wind-receiving fins arranged in a circle to form a hollowcylindrical interior in which the inductor stator assembly and theinductor rotor assembly are located, the stator wind-receiving finsbeing structured to direct receive and direct wind from any directioninto the hollow cylindrical interior at a slanted direction from aradial direction of the cylindrical wind stator assembly; and acylindrical wind rotor assembly enclosed inside the hollow cylindricalinterior of the cylindrical wind stator assembly and fixed in positionto the inductor rotor assembly as a unified assembly to rotate togetherwith the magnet ring on the annulus ring relative to the cylindricalwind stator assembly, the cylindrical wind rotor assembly structured toinclude wind-deflecting blades that are spaced from one another andarranged in a circle to form a hollow central cylindrical interior spacefor containing a wind vortex formed from deflecting of the received windby the wind-deflecting blades, in which the stator wind-receiving finsand the wind-deflecting blades are structured to collectively andefficiently direct the received wind to cause rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly for conversion of the wind energy intothe electric currents in the inductor coils.

Example 28 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a pipe or rod having a curvedouter edge as a first interface of the wind power generator with thereceived wind.

Example 29 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a fin portion that is slanted inorientation with respect to a radial direction of the cylindrical windstator assembly and is configured to receive and direct wind into thewind-deflecting blades of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 30 includes the wind power generator as in example 29, in whichthe fin portion is slanted in orientation with respect to a radialdirection of the cylindrical wind stator assembly at 45 degrees.

Example 31 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes a fin portion formed of a metalor metallic alloy.

Example 32 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach stator wind-receiving fin includes an aluminum fin portion.

Example 33 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whichthe stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindrical wind stator assemblyand the wind-deflecting blades of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyare configured so that a radial dimension of the cylindrical wind statorassembly, a radial dimension of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly, anda radius of the hollow central cylindrical interior space in the centerof the cylindrical wind rotor assembly are substantially the same.

Example 34 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whichthe cylindrical wind stator assembly has an outer diameter greater thana length of the cylindrical wind stator assembly along a cylindricalaxis of the cylindrical wind stator assembly.

Example 35 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicha number of the stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindrical windstator assembly is greater than a number of the wind-deflecting bladesof the cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 36 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach wind-deflecting blade of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyincludes a curved blade portion; and the stator wind-receiving fins ofthe cylindrical wind stator assembly are slanted in orientation withrespect to respective radial directions of the cylindrical wind statorassembly to direct received wind towards a concave side of the curvedblade portion of each wind-deflecting blade.

Example 37 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whicheach wind-deflecting blade includes a curved blade portion to deflectthe received wind into a wind vortex inside a hollow central region ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly.

Example 38 includes the wind power generator as in example 37, in whichthe curved blade portion in each wind-deflecting blade has a geometry ofa portion of a cylinder.

Example 39 includes the wind power generator as in example 37, in whichthe curved blade portion in each wind-deflecting blade includes ageometry of one third of a cylinder.

Example 40 includes the wind power generator as in example 37, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areindependent from one another to independently produce respectivecurrents caused by a relative motion of the magnets on the outerperipheral of the annulus ring relative to the inductor coils of thecircular array of inductor coils so that a failure in one inductor coilis not disruptive to current generation in another inductor coil.

Example 41 includes the wind power generator as in example 37, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areconfigured into independent inductor modules that operate independentlyfrom one module to another, and each inductor module includes (1) threeadjacent inductor coils that are connected to one another to form a3-phase inductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacentinductor coils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectivelyproduce an AC output current from three currents respectively generatedby the three adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuitcoupled to receive the AC output current and to produce a DC outputvoltage.

Example 42 includes the wind power generator as in example 41, in whichthe rectifier circuit of an inductor module includes a three-phase diodebridge rectifier circuit formed of six diodes.

Example 43 includes the wind power generator as in example 27, in whichthe inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areconfigured as independent inductor modules that operate independentlyfrom one module to another, each inductor module includes (1) threeadjacent inductor coils that are connected to one another to form a3-phase inductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacentinductor coils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectivelyproduce an AC output current from three currents respectively generatedby the three adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuitcoupled to receive the AC output current and to produce a DC outputvoltage, and the inductor modules are configured as independent inductormodule groups where each inductor module group includes 3 or moreinductor modules, the inductor modules within each inductor module groupare coupled to produce an inductor module group output, and differentinductor module groups are separated and operate independently from oneto another.

Example 44 includes the wind power generator as in example 43, in whicheach inductor module group includes: a mode-switching circuit in aselected inductor module in the inductor module group and coupled to arectifier circuit of the selected inductor module to inactivate therectifier circuit to allow the selected inductor module to operate in anAC mode for producing an AC output or to activate the rectifier circuitto allow the select inductor module to operate in an DC mode forproducing an DC output, and a control circuit coupled to themode-switching circuit to control the operation the mode-switchingcircuit in switching the selected inductor module between the AC modeand the DC mode.

Example 45 includes the wind power generator as in example 44, in whicheach inductor module group further includes a sensing circuit coupled inthe selected inductor module in the inductor module group that senses arotation condition of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly based ontiming and magnitudes of currents in the inductor coils within theselected inductor module and, based on the sensed rotation condition,the control circuit is configured to control the AC mode operation ofthe selected inductor module in response to the received wind conditionto accelerate or decelerate the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotorassembly so that the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblyvaries dynamically with received wind condition to maximize anefficiency in converting the received wind power into electricity.

Example 46 includes the wind power generator as in example 45, in whichthe control circuit includes a digital signal processor that isprogrammed with software to control, based on the sensed rotationcondition from the sensing circuit, the AC and DC modes of operation ofthe selected inductor module in the inductor module group.

Example 47 includes the wind power generator as in example 45, in whichthe control circuit is configured to control the inductor coils withinthe selected inductor module to cause the rotation of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly to be in a coasting mode which maintains a constantspeed of the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly at a givenreceived wind condition and produces a DC output of the wind powergenerator, a motoring mode which speeds up the rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly while reducing a DC output of the windpower generator, or a generating mode which slows down the rotation ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly while increasing a DC output of thewind power generator.

Example 48 includes the wind power generator as in example 45, in whichthe control circuit is configured to control, based on the sensedrotation condition from the sensing circuit, the selected inductormodule to operate in or switch to one of the coasting mode, the motoringmode, or the generating mode to dynamically synchronize operation of thewind power generator to the received wind condition and a load conditionthat draws power from the wind power generator.

Example 49 includes the wind power generator as in example 45, in whicheach inductor coil includes a first half inductor coil part thatincludes a first magnetic core and a first conductor wire coil thatwinds around the first magnetic core and a second half inductor coilpart that includes a second magnetic core and a second conductor wirecoil that winds around the second magnetic core, and the first andsecond half inductor coil parts are positioned at opposite sides of aplane in which the magnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ringrotate to position the magnets between the first and second halfinductor coil parts.

Example 50 includes the wind power generator as in example 49, in whicheach of the first and second half inductor coil parts includes a Cshaped magnetic core having two terminal ends that interface with themagnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ring, and two adjacentmagnets in the outer peripheral of the annulus ring are placed inopposite magnetic orientations with respect to each other.

Example 51 includes the wind power generator as in example 50, in whichthe C shaped magnetic core is configured to have the two terminal endsspaced from each other by a spacing of two adjacent magnets in the outerperipheral of the annulus ring.

In one example of the present technology (example 52), a method forgenerating electricity from wind includes placing a wind power generatoras in the example 1 or the example 27 on a roof top of a building toreceive wind to cause the cylindrical wind rotor assembly to rotate sothat the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly causes theinductor rotor assembly to rotate to generate electric currents in theinductor coils.

Example 53 includes the wind power generator as in example 52, furtherincluding placing multiple wind power generators as in example 27closely relative to one another in a spatial pattern to use interactionof air flows from the wind power generators and a local wind on the rooftop to operate the multiple wind power generators as a wind powergenerator network for producing electricity.

Example 54 includes the wind power generator as in example 53, furtherincluding operating the multiple wind power generators to furtherutilize air flows on the roof top caused by heat convection on the rooftop to generate electricity.

Example 55 includes the wind power generator as in example 53, furtherincluding providing one or more solar panels on the roof top to convertlight into electricity; coupling the one or more solar panels to themultiple wind power generators to allow for the electricity from the oneor more solar panels to be used by the multiple wind power generatorswhen the local wind on the roof top is clam to maintain a low-speedrotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assemblies of the multiple windpower generators and to store solar-generated electricity in form of arotation of the wind rotor assembly without using one or more batteriesfor energy storage; and operating the multiple wind power generators andthe one or more solar panels to convert local light and wind on the rooftop into electricity.

Example 56 includes the wind power generator as in example 55, furtherincluding monitoring a local wind condition at each wind powergenerator; and based on the monitored local wind condition, controllingeach wind power generator to operate the rotation of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly to be in a coasting mode which maintains a constantspeed of the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly at a givenreceived wind condition and produces a DC output of the wind powergenerator, a motoring mode which speeds up the rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly while reducing a DC output of the windpower generator, or a generating mode which slows down the rotation ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly while increasing a DC output of thewind power generator.

Example 57 includes the wind power generator as in example 52, includingplacing a circuit element that generates heat in each wind powergenerator in a path of an air flow directed by the wind stator assemblyand the wind rotor assembly to cool off the circuit element.

Example 58 includes the wind power generator as in example 52, includingusing an annulus track and rollers inside the annulus track to supportthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly and the inductor rotor assembly torotate the cylindrical wind rotor assembly and the inductor rotorassembly without having a rotation drive shaft.

Example 59 includes the wind power generator as in example 52, includinglinking the multiple wind power generators to one another to enableelectricity generated from one wind power generator to be transferred toanother wind power generator for storage in form of a rotation of thereceiving wind power generator to enable energy storage.

Example 60 includes the wind power generator as in example 52, includingoperating the inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils tobe independent from one another to independently produce respectivecurrents caused by a relative motion of the magnets on the outerperipheral of the annulus ring relative to the inductor coils of thecircular array of inductor coils so that a failure in one inductor coilis not disruptive to current generation in another inductor coil.

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this patent document in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theembodiments described in this patent document should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this patent document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wind power generator for converting wind powerinto electricity, comprising: a support base; inductor coils fixed inposition over the support base in a circular array; an annulus ringtrack fixed to the base support and configured to provide a circulartrack around which the circular array of inductor coils is located;rollers placed in the circular track of the annulus ring track to rollin the circular track to move around the annulus ring track; an annulusring rotor placed on the annulus ring track and engaged to the rollersin the circular track of the annulus ring track so that the annulus ringrotor can rotate relative to the annulus ring track by operation ofrolling motion of the rollers in the circular track without having arotary shaft in the center of the annulus ring rotor for rotating theannulus ring rotor, the annulus ring rotor structured to includeseparate magnets evenly spaced from one another on an outer peripheralof the annulus ring rotor to move through the circular array of inductorcoils as the annulus ring rotor rotates with respect to the annulus ringtrack so that the relative motion between the magnets and the inductorcoils causes generation of electric currents in the inductor coils; anda cylindrical wind rotor assembly located above and fixed to the annulusring rotor to form a unified assembly to rotate with the annulus ringrotor relative to the annulus ring track, the cylindrical wind rotorassembly structured to include wind-deflecting blades that are spacedfrom one another and arranged in a circle around the cylindrical windrotor assembly to form a hollow central cylindrical interior space forcontaining a wind vortex formed from deflecting of the received wind bythe wind-deflecting blades, to convert received wind from any directioninto a rotation of the unified assembly relative to the annulus ringtrack, thus causing conversion of the wind energy into the electriccurrents in the inductor coils.
 2. The wind power generator as in claim1, wherein: each wind-deflecting blade includes a curved blade portionto deflect the received wind into a wind vortex inside a hollow centralregion of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly.
 3. The wind powergenerator as in claim 1, wherein: the inductor coils in the circulararray of inductor coils are independent from one another toindependently produce respective currents caused by a relative motion ofthe magnets on the outer peripheral of the annulus ring rotor relativeto the inductor coils of the circular array of inductor coils so that afailure in one inductor coil is not disruptive to current generation inanother inductor coil.
 4. The wind power generator as in claim 1,wherein: the inductor coils in the circular array of inductor coils areconfigured as independent inductor modules that operate independentlyfrom one module to another, each inductor module includes (1) threeadjacent inductor coils that are connected to one another to form a3-phase inductor module to so that the phases of the three adjacentinductor coils are separated by one third of a cycle to collectivelyproduce an AC output current from three currents respectively generatedby the three adjacent inductor coils, and (2) a rectifier circuitcoupled to receive the AC output current and to produce a DC outputvoltage, and the inductor modules are configured as independent inductormodule groups where each inductor module group includes 3 or moreinductor modules, the inductor modules within each inductor module groupare coupled to produce an inductor module group output, and differentinductor module groups are separated and operate independently from oneto another.
 5. The wind power generator as in claim 4, wherein: eachinductor module group includes: a mode-switching circuit in a selectedinductor module in the inductor module group and coupled to a rectifiercircuit of the selected inductor module to inactivate the rectifiercircuit to allow the selected inductor module to operate in an AC modefor producing an AC output or to activate the rectifier circuit to allowthe select inductor module to operate in a DC mode for producing a DCoutput, and a control circuit coupled to the mode-switching circuit tocontrol the operation the mode-switching circuit in switching theselected inductor module between the AC mode and the DC mode.
 6. Thewind power generator as in claim 5, wherein: each inductor module groupfurther includes a sensing circuit coupled in the selected inductormodule in the inductor module group that senses a rotation condition ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly based on timing and magnitudes ofcurrents in the inductor coils within the selected inductor module and,based on the sensed rotation condition, the control circuit isconfigured to control the AC mode operation of the selected inductormodule in response to the received wind condition to accelerate ordecelerate the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly so thatthe rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly varies dynamicallywith received wind condition to maximize an efficiency in converting thereceived wind power into electricity.
 7. The wind power generator as inclaim 6, wherein: the control circuit includes a digital signalprocessor that is programmed with software to control, based on thesensed rotation condition from the sensing circuit, the AC and DC modesof operation of the selected inductor module in the inductor modulegroup.
 8. The wind power generator as in claim 6, wherein: the controlcircuit is configured to control the inductor coils within the selectedinductor module to cause the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotorassembly to be in a coasting mode which maintains a constant speed ofthe rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly at a given receivedwind condition and produces a DC output of the wind power generator, amotoring mode which speeds up the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotorassembly while reducing a DC output of the wind power generator, or agenerating mode which slows down the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly while increasing the a DC output of the wind powergenerator.
 9. The wind power generator as in claim 6, wherein: thecontrol circuit is configured to control, based on the sensed rotationcondition from the sensing circuit, the selected inductor module tooperate in or switch to one of the coasting mode, the motoring mode, orthe generating mode to dynamically synchronize operation of the windpower generator to the received wind condition and a load condition thatdraws power from the wind power generator.
 10. The wind power generatoras in claim 6, wherein: each inductor coil includes a first halfinductor coil part that includes a first magnetic core and a firstconductor wire coil that winds around the first magnetic core and asecond half inductor coil part that includes a second magnetic core anda second conductor wire coil that winds around the second magnetic core,and the first and second half inductor coil parts are positioned atopposite sides of a plane in which the magnets in the outer peripheralof the annulus ring rotor rotate to position the magnets between thefirst and second half inductor coil parts.
 11. A wind power generatorfor converting wind power into electricity, comprising: a support base;an inductor stator assembly that is fixed to the support base andincludes inductor coils fixed in position to form a circular array, eachinductor coil including a first half inductor coil part that includes afirst magnetic core and a first conductor wire coil that winds aroundthe first magnetic core and a second half inductor coil part thatincludes a second magnetic core and a second conductor wire coil thatwinds around the second magnetic core, wherein the first and second halfinductor coil parts are positioned adjacent to each other to form a gapthere between; an inductor rotor assembly that includes an annulus ringand separate magnets evenly spaced from one another to form a magnetring on an outer peripheral of the annulus ring and is configured toposition the magnets between the gaps of the circular array of inductorcoils, the inductor rotor assembly being structured to rotate relativeto the inductor stator assembly so that the relative motion between themagnets and the inductor coils causes generation of electric currents inthe inductor coils; a cylindrical wind stator assembly fixed in positionrelative to the inductor stator assembly and including statorwind-receiving fins arranged in a circle to form a hollow cylindricalinterior in which the inductor stator assembly and the inductor rotorassembly are located, the stator wind-receiving fins being structured todirect receive and direct wind from any direction into the hollowcylindrical interior at a slanted direction from a radial direction ofthe cylindrical wind stator assembly; and a cylindrical wind rotorassembly enclosed inside the hollow cylindrical interior of thecylindrical wind stator assembly and fixed in position to the inductorrotor assembly as a unified assembly to rotate together with the magnetring on the annulus ring relative to the cylindrical wind statorassembly, the cylindrical wind rotor assembly structured to includewind-deflecting blades that are spaced from one another and arranged ina circle to form a hollow central cylindrical interior space forcontaining a wind vortex formed from deflecting of the received wind bythe wind-deflecting blades, wherein the stator wind-receiving fins andthe wind-deflecting blades are structured to collectively andefficiently direct the received wind to cause rotation of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly for conversion of the wind energy intothe electric currents in the inductor coils.
 12. The wind powergenerator as in claim 11, wherein: each stator wind-receiving finincludes a pipe or rod having a curved outer edge as a first interfaceof the wind power generator with the received wind.
 13. The wind powergenerator as in claim 11, wherein: each stator wind-receiving finincludes a fin portion that is slanted in orientation with respect to aradial direction of the cylindrical wind stator assembly and isconfigured to receive and direct wind into the wind-deflecting blades ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly.
 14. The wind power generator as inclaim 11, wherein: the stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindricalwind stator assembly and the wind-deflecting blades of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly are configured so that a radial dimension of thecylindrical wind stator assembly, a radial dimension of the cylindricalwind rotor assembly, and a radius of the hollow central cylindricalinterior space in the center of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly aresubstantially the same.
 15. The wind power generator as in claim 11,wherein: the cylindrical wind stator assembly has an outer diametergreater than a length of the cylindrical wind stator assembly along acylindrical axis of the cylindrical wind stator assembly.
 16. The windpower generator as in claim 11, wherein: each wind-deflecting blade ofthe cylindrical wind rotor assembly includes a curved blade portion; andthe stator wind-receiving fins of the cylindrical wind stator assemblyare slanted in orientation with respect to respective radial directionsof the cylindrical wind stator assembly to direct received wind towardsa concave side of the curved blade portion of each wind-deflectingblade.
 17. The wind power generator as in claim 11, wherein: eachwind-deflecting blade includes a curved blade portion to deflect thereceived wind into a wind vortex inside a hollow central region of thecylindrical wind rotor assembly.
 18. A method for generating electricityfrom wind, comprising: placing a wind power generator as in claim 11 ona roof top of a building to receive wind to cause the cylindrical windrotor assembly to rotate so that the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly causes the inductor rotor assembly to rotate to generateelectric currents in the inductor coils.
 19. The method as in claim 18,further comprising: placing multiple wind power generators as in claim11 closely relative to one another in a spatial pattern to useinteraction of air flows from the wind power generators and a local windon the roof top to operate the multiple wind power generators as a windpower generator network for producing electricity.
 20. The method as inclaim 19, further comprising: operating the multiple wind powergenerators to further utilize air flows on the roof top caused by heatconvection on the roof top to generate electricity.
 21. The method as inclaim 19, further comprising: providing one or more solar panels on theroof top to convert light into electricity; coupling the one or moresolar panels to the multiple wind power generators to allow for theelectricity from the one or more solar panels to be used by the multiplewind power generators when the local wind on the roof top is clam tomaintain a low-speed rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembliesof the multiple wind power generators and to store solar-generatedelectricity in form of a rotation of the wind rotor assembly withoutusing one or more batteries for energy storage; and operating themultiple wind power generators and the one or more solar panels toconvert local light and wind on the roof top into electricity.
 22. Themethod as in claim 21, further comprising: monitoring a local windcondition at each wind power generator; and based on the monitored localwind condition, controlling each wind power generator to operate therotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly to be in a coasting modewhich maintains a constant speed of the rotation of the cylindrical windrotor assembly at a given received wind condition and produces a DCoutput of the wind power generator, a motoring mode which speeds up therotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly while reducing a DCoutput of the wind power generator, or a generating mode which slowsdown the rotation of the cylindrical wind rotor assembly whileincreasing a DC output of the wind power generator.
 23. The method as inclaim 18, comprising: placing a circuit element that generates heat ineach wind power generator in a path of an air flow directed by the windstator assembly and the wind rotor assembly to cool off the circuitelement.
 24. The method as in claim 18, comprising: linking the multiplewind power generators to one another to enable electricity generatedfrom one wind power generator to be transferred to another wind powergenerator for storage in form of a rotation of the receiving wind powergenerator to enable energy storage.